Weather & Climate in Barbecue, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Barbecue enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 310 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 314 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.7°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	42°F (5°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	314 ft (96 m)
Area	5.7 sq mi (14.7 km²)
Population Density	1,046/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3252°N, 79.0379°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Lee County County
Nearest Airport	Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.8"

26% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.12"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	67.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.3 / 100
Community Resilience	31.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.

Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	91 km	8 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	106 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	101 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	96 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2022	Ian	Category 1	81 mph	226 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	166 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	109 mph	235 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	159 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	196 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	217 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	232 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	212 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	272 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	172 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	264 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	192 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	262 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	160 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	296 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	160 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	34 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	136 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	200 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	241 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

331 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,528 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988	EF4	66 km	83.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	99 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	78 km	21.0 mi	3
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	93 km	40.0 mi	4
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	73 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	25 km	65.2 mi	6
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	35 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	85 km	5.5 mi	2
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	36 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	57 km	40.0 mi	12
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	29 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	64 km	25.8 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	80 km	1.0 mi	1
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	68 km	21.9 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	98 km	30.1 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	99 km	0.2 mi	0
May 13, 2019	EF2	78 km	17.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	67 km	10.1 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	64 km	29.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	90 km	13.1 mi	1

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,968 acres, 1991).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1991	UNNAMED	3,968	88 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	87 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	75 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	96 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	87 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	56 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	56 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	12 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	77 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	58 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	94 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	55 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	57 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	48 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	56 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	65 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	96 km
2022	CEDAR CREEK	872	59 km
2009	UNNAMED	871	68 km
1993	UNNAMED	835	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (5°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.0 in	Driest
May	68°F (20°C)	3.8 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.3 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.1 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (25°C)	4.9 in
September	72°F (22°C)	3.9 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.2 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.1 in
December	44°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Barbecue has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.1") and April the driest (3.0").

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