Welcome to The Weather Corner
with weather data for Fairview and Western North Carolina... plus weather features, photos, and historical data.



Snowiest Ever

Average winter snowfall at our Fairview observation station (elevation 3,650 feet) is 20.4" inches. This is a 10-year average for the snow seasons of 1999/00 through 2008/09. However, snowfall increases rapidly with increasing elevation. On Flat Top Mountain (elevation 4,320 feet) snowfall averages 35.0 inches.

An outstanding characteristic of snowfall at many elevations in Fairview is its great variability from year to year. In the 11 years of observations at our 3,650 ft. site, seasonal snowfall has ranged from 9.0" in 2001/02 to 49.5" in the current season (through March 9).

Winter snowfall at our reporting station (elevation 3,650 feet):

1999/00    15.6"
2000/01    35.1"
2001/02     9.0"
2002/03    28.9"
2003/04    27.3"
2004/05    19.2"
2005/06    18.6"
2006/07    12.1"
2007/08    12.6"
2008/09    25.1"
2009/10    49.5" (through March 9)




Severe Weather Awareness: Lightning

The most dangerous phenomenon of thunderstorms is lightning, the second leading cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. claiming an average of around 62 lives each year.

The physics of lightning dictate that it will seek out the tallest object in a certain area. For this reason most lightning fatalities occur in open areas such as golf courses, baseball fields, lakes or other bodies of water and in mountainous areas. Locations such as these are found in abundance across western Carolinas. In addition, thunderstorms occur almost everyday during the late spring and summer across the region. Therefore, lightning fatalities and injuries are relatively common in this part of the world.

An important fact to remember about lightning is that it does not have to be raining for you to be struck. Lightning can extend for several miles beyond the cloud that is producing it. Basically, if you can hear thunder, or actually see lightning, you are in danger. Under no circumstance is it safe to be outside while lightning is occurring. Seek shelter indoors. If a building is not available, a hardtop vehicle will usually provide adequate protection from lightning. Once you have sought shelter, remain there until approximately 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

Although the vast majority of lightning-related casualties occur outdoors there are still measures that people should take while indoors to insure that they are safe from lightning. People have been struck by lightning while talking on wire telephones or coming in contact with other types of electrical appliances. Others have been struck while taking a shower or a bath. Avoid these activities during a thunderstorm. In addition, electrical surges caused by lightning may result in damage to electrical appliances and in some cases ignite fires. It is a good idea to unplug these appliances before a thunderstorm hits.

The National Weather Service does not issue warnings for lightning. Every thunderstorm by definition produces lightning and is dangerous in that regard.



Daily Statistics, March 2010
(Below are daily postings of weather statistics recorded at our Chestnut reporting station, elevation 3650, Fairview NC)

Date	High	Low	Precip	Snow
1	37	23	0
2	31	25	0.44	7.0
3	30	21	0.02	0.6
4	32	21	0.02	0.5
5	38	20	0
6	46	24	0
7	51	31	0
8	60	34	0
9	63	44	0
10	53	44	0