Weather & Climate in Cerro Gordo, NC

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

Cerro Gordo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 301 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 50.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 84 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.8°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	84 ft (26 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density	424/sq mi
Coordinates	34.3226°N, 78.9287°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Columbus County County
Nearest Airport	Lumberton Regional (LBT) 21 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.9"

34% above US avg

Snowfall 1.2"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.94"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.80"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	88.3 / 100
Community Resilience	23.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

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

Jan 29, 1994	12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina	M2.9	124 km	2 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	100 km	8 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	100 km	14 km

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

Hurricane History

24 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	116 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	61 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	140 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	60 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	92 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	140 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	206 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	140 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	204 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	160 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	62 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	240 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	175 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	103 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	209 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	113 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	74 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	104 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	294 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	156 km

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

Tornado History

408 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 60 fatalities, 1,411 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	44 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	95 km	7.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	84 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	70 km	40.0 mi	4
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	47 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	60 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	79 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	63 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	57 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	57 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	84 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	80 km	25.8 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	51 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 17, 1965	EF3	60 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	70 km	21.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	96 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	35 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	82 km	4.7 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	94 km	4.6 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	65 km	9.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HIGHWAY 31 (17,004 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	HIGHWAY 31	17,004	58 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,968	91 km
1997	UNNAMED	3,111	84 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	93 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	66 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,204	57 km
1993	UNNAMED	2,073	84 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	27 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,870	84 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	88 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	93 km
2010	UNNAMED	1,683	86 km
2002	LEGENDS	1,666	66 km
2016	CLEMMONS ROAD	1,468	78 km
1990	UNNAMED	1,335	72 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	80 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	89 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	89 km
2009	JOE BAY	1,124	87 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	89 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	47°F (8°C)	3.7 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.3 in
April	62°F (16°C)	2.9 in
May	69°F (21°C)	4.3 in
June	76°F (25°C)	5.0 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	79°F (26°C)	5.6 in
September	74°F (23°C)	4.4 in
October	63°F (17°C)	2.8 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	47°F (8°C)	3.3 in

Cerro Gordo has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (2.8").

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