Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Oconaluftee (USC00316341), North Carolina, United States, with 69 years of record.
Key Facts for Oconaluftee
Oconaluftee (USC00316341) is a weather station in North Carolina, United States at 35.52 latitude and -83.31 longitude, 622 m (2,040 ft) above sea level.
The station reports from 1958 to 2026, 69 years of record.
1,464 records set at Oconaluftee still stand.
Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
Oconaluftee tied an all-time record high minimum temperature of 21.1 C (70.0 F) on 24 July 2026.
About the Station
Location: North Carolina, United States, 35.52 latitude, -83.31 longitude.
Elevation: 622 m (2,040 ft).
Period of record: 1958 to 2026, 69 years.
Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd.
Daily Record Envelope and 2026
2 days at or beyond a record
Record highRecord low2026 daily maximum2026 daily minimum
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Oconaluftee. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 2 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Oconaluftee, with 2026 drawn through them
Month
Highest record high
Lowest record low
2026 highest maximum
2026 lowest minimum
Jan
23.9 C (75.0 F)
-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
19.4 C (66.9 F)
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
Feb
26.7 C (80.1 F)
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
21.7 C (71.1 F)
-15.6 C (3.9 F)
Mar
29.4 C (84.9 F)
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
26.7 C (80.1 F)
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
Apr
32.8 C (91.0 F)
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
30.0 C (86.0 F)
-1.1 C (30.0 F)
May
38.9 C (102.0 F)
-5.6 C (21.9 F)
30.6 C (87.1 F)
1.1 C (34.0 F)
Jun
35.0 C (95.0 F)
0.0 C (32.0 F)
31.1 C (88.0 F)
7.8 C (46.0 F)
Jul
36.7 C (98.1 F)
4.4 C (39.9 F)
33.3 C (91.9 F)
12.2 C (54.0 F)
Aug
37.8 C (100.0 F)
3.3 C (37.9 F)
31.7 C (89.1 F)
11.1 C (52.0 F)
Sep
35.6 C (96.1 F)
-5.0 C (23.0 F)
31.7 C (89.1 F)
3.9 C (39.0 F)
Oct
32.2 C (90.0 F)
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
28.3 C (82.9 F)
6.1 C (43.0 F)
Nov
28.9 C (84.0 F)
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Dec
24.4 C (75.9 F)
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Which Years Hold Standing Records
1,464 standing records
Year with most
1,464 records at Oconaluftee still stand. 1998 holds the most, with 50.
Standing records at Oconaluftee by the year they were set
Year set
Standing records
1958
5
1959
21
1960
29
1961
18
1962
29
1963
25
1964
24
1965
20
1966
17
1967
39
1968
20
1969
16
1970
19
1971
12
1972
17
1973
16
1974
16
1975
9
1976
21
1977
19
1978
16
1979
20
1980
21
1981
17
1982
23
1983
26
1984
34
1985
34
1986
19
1987
26
1988
28
1989
33
1990
9
1991
22
1992
15
1993
26
1994
13
1995
23
1996
27
1997
31
1998
50
1999
40
2000
25
2001
23
2002
38
2003
17
2004
13
2005
13
2006
10
2007
20
2008
12
2009
10
2010
36
2011
22
2012
22
2013
14
2014
22
2015
33
2016
17
2017
31
2018
34
2019
20
2020
23
2021
10
2022
12
2023
6
2024
10
2025
18
2026
8
All-Time Record Progression
5 new records
5 all-time records were set at Oconaluftee between 17 March 1990 and 10 January 2011. Each dot is a new record.
When Oconaluftee set new all-time records
Date
Kind
Detail
1990-03-17
Record daily precipitation
Record daily precipitation 127.5 mm (5.0 in)
1996-05-22
Record high maximum temperature
Record high maximum temperature 38.9 C (102.0 F)
2001-07-26
Record high minimum temperature
Record high minimum temperature 21.1 C (70.0 F)
2006-02-12
Record snow depth
Record snow depth 35.6 cm (14.0 in)
2011-01-10
Record daily snowfall
Record daily snowfall 30.5 cm (12.0 in)
Wettest Day of Each Month
Mar: 127.5 mm (5.0 in)
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Oconaluftee. The most was 127.5 mm (5.0 in) on 17 March 1990.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Oconaluftee
Month
Record daily precipitation (mm)
Date
Jan
127.0 mm (5.0 in)
31 January 2010
Feb
102.1 mm (4.0 in)
4 February 2022
Mar
127.5 mm (5.0 in)
17 March 1990
Apr
83.8 mm (3.3 in)
5 April 1977
May
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
28 May 1973
Jun
84.3 mm (3.3 in)
27 June 1994
Jul
94.0 mm (3.7 in)
13 July 1984
Aug
89.9 mm (3.5 in)
9 August 1991
Sep
98.0 mm (3.9 in)
17 September 2004
Oct
89.9 mm (3.5 in)
5 October 1972
Nov
100.3 mm (3.9 in)
19 November 2003
Dec
103.6 mm (4.1 in)
12 December 1961
Period of Record Coverage
1958 to 2026
Complete yearUnder 90 percent of days
69 years of record at Oconaluftee, 1958 to 2026. 11 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1958, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1980, 1986 and others.
Cooler than the station meanWarmer than the station mean
One stripe for each of 54 complete years at Oconaluftee, 1959 to 2025. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 12.4 C (54.4 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 1997, at 10.7 C (51.3 F), and the warmest was 2016, at 14.1 C (57.3 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.8 C (3.2 F).
Annual mean temperature at Oconaluftee as warming stripes, 1959 to 2025
Year
Annual mean temperature
Difference from the station mean
1959
12.7 C
+0.23 C
1960
11.4 C
-1.01 C
1962
12.1 C
-0.33 C
1963
10.8 C
-1.67 C
1964
11.1 C
-1.30 C
1965
11.2 C
-1.20 C
1966
11.2 C
-1.27 C
1967
11.3 C
-1.15 C
1970
12.4 C
-0.02 C
1976
11.0 C
-1.43 C
1977
11.3 C
-1.10 C
1978
11.6 C
-0.82 C
1979
11.9 C
-0.57 C
1981
11.6 C
-0.86 C
1982
12.9 C
+0.43 C
1983
11.6 C
-0.82 C
1984
12.3 C
-0.16 C
1985
12.2 C
-0.21 C
1988
11.1 C
-1.35 C
1989
12.4 C
-0.01 C
1990
13.4 C
+0.94 C
1991
13.2 C
+0.74 C
1992
11.9 C
-0.50 C
1993
12.3 C
-0.17 C
1994
12.3 C
-0.15 C
1995
11.8 C
-0.68 C
1996
11.4 C
-1.05 C
1997
10.7 C
-1.72 C
1998
13.1 C
+0.69 C
1999
11.8 C
-0.63 C
2000
12.7 C
+0.22 C
2002
13.1 C
+0.66 C
2003
12.9 C
+0.50 C
2004
13.2 C
+0.79 C
2005
13.0 C
+0.52 C
2006
13.0 C
+0.52 C
2007
13.2 C
+0.74 C
2008
12.7 C
+0.24 C
2009
12.5 C
+0.08 C
2010
12.4 C
-0.03 C
2011
13.2 C
+0.76 C
2013
12.8 C
+0.34 C
2014
12.6 C
+0.19 C
2015
13.7 C
+1.29 C
2016
14.1 C
+1.63 C
2017
13.8 C
+1.39 C
2018
13.5 C
+1.04 C
2019
13.9 C
+1.46 C
2020
13.5 C
+1.11 C
2021
13.2 C
+0.79 C
2022
12.8 C
+0.37 C
2023
13.3 C
+0.85 C
2024
13.6 C
+1.16 C
2025
13.1 C
+0.66 C
The annual mean temperature here has risen by 0.3 C (0.3 to 0.4) per decade over 1959 to 2025. In Fahrenheit: 0.6 F (0.5 to 0.8) per decade. The slope is a straight line fitted to 54 complete years; the brackets give its 95 percent interval.
Fitted temperature trends per decade at Oconaluftee
Measure
Per decade (C)
Per decade (F)
Period
Complete years
Reading
Annual mean temperature
0.3 C (0.3 to 0.4) per decade
0.6 F (0.5 to 0.8) per decade
1959 to 2025
54
Rise
Mean daily maximum
0.12 C (0.03 to 0.22) per decade
0.22 F (0.05 to 0.39) per decade
1959 to 2025
54
Rise
Mean daily minimum
0.6 C (0.4 to 0.7) per decade
1.0 F (0.7 to 1.3) per decade
1959 to 2025
54
Rise
A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.
Extremes by Year
1958 to 2026
Yearly extremes at Oconaluftee: the record and the median year
Measure
Record
Year of the record
Median year
Years with a value
Hottest day (TXx)
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1996
33.3 C (91.9 F)
69
Coldest night (TNn)
-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
1985
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
69
Wettest day (Rx1day)
127.5 mm (5.0 in)
1990
68.1 mm (2.7 in)
69
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
230.6 mm (9.1 in)
2010
114.5 mm (4.5 in)
69
Longest dry spell (CDD)
32 days
1963
16 days
69
Hottest day (TXx)
The hottest day of the year at Oconaluftee, 1958 to 2026. The record is 38.9 C (102.0 F) in 1996, marked on the chart; the median year is 33.3 C (91.9 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Oconaluftee by year
Year
Hottest day (TXx)
1958
25.0 C (77.0 F)
1959
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1960
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1961
31.1 C (88.0 F)
1962
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1963
31.1 C (88.0 F)
1964
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1965
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1966
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1967
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1968
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1969
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1970
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1971
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1972
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1973
31.7 C (89.1 F)
1974
31.1 C (88.0 F)
1975
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1976
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1977
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1978
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1979
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1980
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1981
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1982
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1983
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1984
33.3 C (91.9 F)
1985
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1986
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1987
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1988
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1989
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1990
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1991
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1992
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1993
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1994
32.2 C (90.0 F)
1995
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1996
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1997
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1998
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1999
35.0 C (95.0 F)
2000
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2001
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2002
36.1 C (97.0 F)
2003
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2004
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2005
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2006
35.0 C (95.0 F)
2007
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2008
32.8 C (91.0 F)
2009
32.8 C (91.0 F)
2010
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2011
33.3 C (91.9 F)
2012
36.1 C (97.0 F)
2013
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2014
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2015
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2016
32.8 C (91.0 F)
2017
32.2 C (90.0 F)
2018
32.8 C (91.0 F)
2019
31.1 C (88.0 F)
2020
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2021
31.7 C (89.1 F)
2022
33.9 C (93.0 F)
2023
32.2 C (90.0 F)
2024
33.3 C (91.9 F)
2025
32.8 C (91.0 F)
2026
33.3 C (91.9 F)
Coldest night (TNn)
The coldest night of the year at Oconaluftee, 1958 to 2026. The record is -30.6 C (-23.1 F) in 1985, marked on the chart; the median year is -16.7 C (1.9 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Oconaluftee by year
Year
Coldest night (TNn)
1958
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1959
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
1960
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1961
-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1962
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1963
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1964
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1965
-21.1 C (-6.0 F)
1966
-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1967
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1968
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
1969
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1970
-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
1971
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1972
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1973
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1974
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
1975
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
1976
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1977
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1978
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
1979
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1980
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1981
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1982
-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
1983
-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
1984
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
1985
-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
1986
-23.9 C (-11.0 F)
1987
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1988
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1989
-20.0 C (-4.0 F)
1990
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1991
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
1992
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1993
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
1994
-20.6 C (-5.1 F)
1995
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
1996
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
1997
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1998
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1999
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
2000
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
2001
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
2002
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
2003
-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
2004
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
2005
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
2006
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
2007
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
2008
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
2009
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
2010
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
2011
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
2012
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
2013
-8.9 C (16.0 F)
2014
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
2015
-18.9 C (-2.0 F)
2016
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
2017
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
2018
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
2019
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
2020
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
2021
-7.8 C (18.0 F)
2022
-18.3 C (-0.9 F)
2023
-8.9 C (16.0 F)
2024
-15.6 C (3.9 F)
2025
-15.6 C (3.9 F)
2026
-15.6 C (3.9 F)
Wettest day (Rx1day)
The wettest day of the year at Oconaluftee, 1958 to 2026. The record is 127.5 mm (5.0 in) in 1990, marked on the chart; the median year is 68.1 mm (2.7 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Oconaluftee by year
Year
Wettest day (Rx1day)
1958
38.4 mm (1.5 in)
1959
63.8 mm (2.5 in)
1960
55.9 mm (2.2 in)
1961
103.6 mm (4.1 in)
1962
61.2 mm (2.4 in)
1963
120.9 mm (4.8 in)
1964
73.4 mm (2.9 in)
1965
103.4 mm (4.1 in)
1966
67.6 mm (2.7 in)
1967
58.7 mm (2.3 in)
1968
44.7 mm (1.8 in)
1969
68.1 mm (2.7 in)
1970
69.9 mm (2.8 in)
1971
61.7 mm (2.4 in)
1972
89.9 mm (3.5 in)
1973
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1974
62.0 mm (2.4 in)
1975
98.0 mm (3.9 in)
1976
72.6 mm (2.9 in)
1977
83.8 mm (3.3 in)
1978
97.8 mm (3.9 in)
1979
58.4 mm (2.3 in)
1980
89.4 mm (3.5 in)
1981
55.9 mm (2.2 in)
1982
69.6 mm (2.7 in)
1983
64.8 mm (2.6 in)
1984
94.0 mm (3.7 in)
1985
60.5 mm (2.4 in)
1986
47.8 mm (1.9 in)
1987
47.0 mm (1.9 in)
1988
39.1 mm (1.5 in)
1989
47.0 mm (1.9 in)
1990
127.5 mm (5.0 in)
1991
89.9 mm (3.5 in)
1992
58.9 mm (2.3 in)
1993
77.7 mm (3.1 in)
1994
102.9 mm (4.1 in)
1995
73.7 mm (2.9 in)
1996
87.6 mm (3.4 in)
1997
72.4 mm (2.9 in)
1998
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
1999
59.2 mm (2.3 in)
2000
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
2001
44.5 mm (1.8 in)
2002
51.1 mm (2.0 in)
2003
100.3 mm (3.9 in)
2004
98.0 mm (3.9 in)
2005
45.0 mm (1.8 in)
2006
49.5 mm (1.9 in)
2007
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
2008
40.6 mm (1.6 in)
2009
67.1 mm (2.6 in)
2010
127.0 mm (5.0 in)
2011
86.4 mm (3.4 in)
2012
47.0 mm (1.9 in)
2013
72.1 mm (2.8 in)
2014
59.4 mm (2.3 in)
2015
77.5 mm (3.1 in)
2016
36.1 mm (1.4 in)
2017
53.8 mm (2.1 in)
2018
57.9 mm (2.3 in)
2019
66.5 mm (2.6 in)
2020
77.5 mm (3.1 in)
2021
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
2022
102.1 mm (4.0 in)
2023
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
2024
87.6 mm (3.4 in)
2025
57.2 mm (2.3 in)
2026
37.1 mm (1.5 in)
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
The wettest five days of the year at Oconaluftee, 1958 to 2026. The record is 230.6 mm (9.1 in) in 2010, marked on the chart; the median year is 114.5 mm (4.5 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Oconaluftee by year
Year
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
1958
44.0 mm (1.7 in)
1959
89.1 mm (3.5 in)
1960
114.3 mm (4.5 in)
1961
191.2 mm (7.5 in)
1962
136.5 mm (5.4 in)
1963
157.7 mm (6.2 in)
1964
114.6 mm (4.5 in)
1965
167.9 mm (6.6 in)
1966
136.2 mm (5.4 in)
1967
118.9 mm (4.7 in)
1968
87.4 mm (3.4 in)
1969
122.5 mm (4.8 in)
1970
126.8 mm (5.0 in)
1971
101.1 mm (4.0 in)
1972
124.2 mm (4.9 in)
1973
131.6 mm (5.2 in)
1974
171.2 mm (6.7 in)
1975
118.1 mm (4.6 in)
1976
111.8 mm (4.4 in)
1977
137.7 mm (5.4 in)
1978
131.3 mm (5.2 in)
1979
103.6 mm (4.1 in)
1980
153.4 mm (6.0 in)
1981
67.1 mm (2.6 in)
1982
122.9 mm (4.8 in)
1983
96.8 mm (3.8 in)
1984
146.3 mm (5.8 in)
1985
107.0 mm (4.2 in)
1986
107.2 mm (4.2 in)
1987
114.6 mm (4.5 in)
1988
76.7 mm (3.0 in)
1989
103.9 mm (4.1 in)
1990
168.4 mm (6.6 in)
1991
153.7 mm (6.1 in)
1992
135.4 mm (5.3 in)
1993
88.4 mm (3.5 in)
1994
146.1 mm (5.8 in)
1995
143.1 mm (5.6 in)
1996
113.0 mm (4.4 in)
1997
152.5 mm (6.0 in)
1998
139.7 mm (5.5 in)
1999
119.4 mm (4.7 in)
2000
111.0 mm (4.4 in)
2001
89.1 mm (3.5 in)
2002
98.3 mm (3.9 in)
2003
164.0 mm (6.5 in)
2004
98.8 mm (3.9 in)
2005
65.6 mm (2.6 in)
2006
57.4 mm (2.3 in)
2007
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
2008
63.7 mm (2.5 in)
2009
89.0 mm (3.5 in)
2010
230.6 mm (9.1 in)
2011
37.1 mm (1.5 in)
2012
98.3 mm (3.9 in)
2013
168.5 mm (6.6 in)
2014
88.9 mm (3.5 in)
2015
154.4 mm (6.1 in)
2016
75.4 mm (3.0 in)
2017
112.5 mm (4.4 in)
2018
104.0 mm (4.1 in)
2019
156.0 mm (6.1 in)
2020
114.5 mm (4.5 in)
2021
108.4 mm (4.3 in)
2022
149.1 mm (5.9 in)
2023
88.5 mm (3.5 in)
2024
102.9 mm (4.1 in)
2025
120.4 mm (4.7 in)
2026
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
Longest dry spell (CDD)
The longest dry spell of the year at Oconaluftee, 1958 to 2026. The record is 32 days in 1963, marked on the chart; the median year is 16 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Oconaluftee by year
Year
Longest dry spell (CDD)
1958
9 days
1959
17 days
1960
12 days
1961
15 days
1962
15 days
1963
32 days
1964
18 days
1965
19 days
1966
10 days
1967
18 days
1968
17 days
1969
12 days
1970
23 days
1971
12 days
1972
9 days
1973
10 days
1974
19 days
1975
11 days
1976
24 days
1977
16 days
1978
23 days
1979
17 days
1980
18 days
1981
20 days
1982
11 days
1983
18 days
1984
26 days
1985
17 days
1986
18 days
1987
14 days
1988
21 days
1989
13 days
1990
14 days
1991
18 days
1992
16 days
1993
17 days
1994
14 days
1995
14 days
1996
15 days
1997
15 days
1998
13 days
1999
32 days
2000
17 days
2001
29 days
2002
19 days
2003
11 days
2004
14 days
2005
26 days
2006
14 days
2007
23 days
2008
26 days
2009
16 days
2010
18 days
2011
2 days
2012
20 days
2013
10 days
2014
14 days
2015
12 days
2016
23 days
2017
22 days
2018
12 days
2019
19 days
2020
12 days
2021
14 days
2022
18 days
2023
20 days
2024
14 days
2025
12 days
2026
13 days
Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.
Frost Dates and Growing Season
54 years with a frost
Across 54 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Oconaluftee falls on 29 April and the median first autumn frost on 10 October, which leaves a median of 168 days between them.
Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by +5.1 days per decade at this station.
Frost dates and growing season at Oconaluftee
Measure
Median, all years
Earliest period
Recent period (1994 to 2025)
Recent against earliest
Fitted trend
Last spring frost
29 April
n/a
24 April
n/a
-3.0 days per decade
First autumn frost
10 October
n/a
17 October
n/a
+2.1 days per decade
Growing days
168 days
n/a
176 days
n/a
+5.1 days per decade
A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.
Rainfall Return Levels
49 years, 1959 to 2023
A day with at least 70.1 mm (2.8 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 140.5 mm (5.5 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.
Rainfall return levels at Oconaluftee: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once in
A day with at least
Note
2 years
70.1 mm (2.8 in)
5 years
90.0 mm (3.5 in)
10 years
102.8 mm (4.0 in)
25 years
118.4 mm (4.7 in)
50 years
129.6 mm (5.1 in)
Longer than the 49 years of record
100 years
140.5 mm (5.5 in)
Longer than the 49 years of record
The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 49 years of values from 1959 to 2023.
A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.
The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 127.5 mm (5.0 in) in 1990; 127.0 mm (5.0 in) in 2010; 120.9 mm (4.8 in) in 1963.
Station Changes
No change in the annual mean temperature of this station was found against its neighbours.
Climate Twins
2010 to 2025 against 1961 to 1990
Over 2010 to 2025, Oconaluftee had a mean temperature of 13.3 C (55.9 F) and 1,381.5 mm (54.4 in) of rain a year. The 3 stations whose 1961 to 1990 climate was closest to that are Stuart (United States, 301 km away), W Kerr Scott Resv (United States, 199 km away) and Allardt (United States, 171 km away).
Climate twins of Oconaluftee: stations whose 1961 to 1990 climate is closest to its 2010 to 2025 climate
Twins are stations, not cities. A twin is one of the three stations at least 100 km away whose earlier climate is closest to this station's recent one, so a close match does not mean the two places look alike in other ways. A station move or a gap in a record can change that station's averages. The list describes past climate; it is not a forecast and does not say what caused any change. How twins are found, and a search for any station.
Download the Data
Data for Oconaluftee standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Data for Oconaluftee threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-12 (12 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.