Weather & Climate in Carthage, NC

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

Carthage 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 526 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	526 ft (160 m)
Area	6.4 sq mi (16.4 km²)
Population Density	416/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3223°N, 79.4109°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Moore County County
Nearest Airport	Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 38 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.8"

26% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.16"

Driest Month (Apr) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	75.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	40.0 / 100
Community Resilience	52.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	144 km	7 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	127 km	9 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	67 km	8 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	88 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	80 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	72 km	14 km

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

Hurricane History

20 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	179 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	109 mph	255 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	174 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	206 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	243 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	265 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	236 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	299 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	181 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	259 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	217 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	282 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	189 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	187 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	66 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	169 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	169 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	274 km
1984	Diana	Category 4	132 mph	179 km

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

Tornado History

319 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 51 fatalities, 1,361 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988	EF4	85 km	83.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	79 km	40.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	95 km	7.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	81 km	17.0 mi	7
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	74 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	9 km	65.2 mi	6
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	42 km	52.9 mi	2
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	93 km	4.3 mi	0
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	87 km	5.5 mi	2
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	68 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	74 km	40.0 mi	12
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	52 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	93 km	25.8 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	53 km	1.0 mi	1
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	58 km	21.9 mi	0
Mar 31, 2022	EF2	79 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	71 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	69 km	10.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	87 km	32.8 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	86 km	12.5 mi	2

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	67 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	65 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	100 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	64 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	93 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	39 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	36 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	40 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	40 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	61 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	39 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	40 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	21 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	77 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	87 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	64 km
2022	CEDAR CREEK	872	81 km
2009	UNNAMED	871	51 km
1997	UNNAMED	823	98 km
2010	UNNAMED	820	100 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)	3.8 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	60°F (16°C)	3.0 in	Driest
May	68°F (20°C)	4.0 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.4 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.2 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.8 in
September	72°F (22°C)	3.6 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.3 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.1 in
December	44°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Carthage has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.0").

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