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Weather & Climate in Chapel Hill, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chapel Hill 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 43.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 397 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.6°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Area | 21.3 sq mi (55.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,760/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9283°N, 79.0414°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Chatham County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 46.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 142 km | 8 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 75 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 147 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 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 | 293 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 231 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 282 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 222 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 259 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 259 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 248 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 264 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 239 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 148 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 204 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 209 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 87 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 166 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 231 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 263 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 225 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
295 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 528 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 27 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 70 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 99 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 21 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 61 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 95 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 87 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 55 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 13 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 66 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 65 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 95 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 58 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 95 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OVERHILLS (1,436 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 78 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,090 | 96 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 57 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 98 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 | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 3.3 in |
Chapel Hill has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.4") and April the driest (3.1").