Weather & Climate in Clinton, NC

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

Clinton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 152 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	152 ft (46 m)
Area	7.6 sq mi (19.7 km²)
Population Density	1,084/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0004°N, 78.3315°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cumberland County County
Nearest Airport	Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 31 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.0"

34% above US avg

Snowfall 1.8"

Wettest Month (Jul) 6.30"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	23.2 / 100
Community Resilience	25.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating

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

Earthquake History

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

Aug 6, 1994	4 km SSW of Bayboro, North Carolina	M3.6	141 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	138 km	8 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	141 km	14 km

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

Hurricane History

25 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	205 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	123 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	109 mph	165 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	109 mph	101 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	92 mph	145 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	146 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	162 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	144 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	198 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	251 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	138 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	150 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	198 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	87 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	229 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	88 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	40 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	67 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	279 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	292 km

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

Tornado History

496 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 70 fatalities, 1,482 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	62 km	28.0 mi	16
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	9 km	21.0 mi	3
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	87 km	0.8 mi	0
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	80 km	6.5 mi	1
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	73 km	52.9 mi	2
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	60 km	20.4 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	97 km	65.2 mi	6
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	92 km	3.8 mi	0
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	91 km	8.2 mi	1
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	74 km	2.2 mi	8
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	61 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	53 km	40.0 mi	12
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	45 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	89 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	98 km	8.5 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	54 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	16 km	25.8 mi	0
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	94 km	46.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	30 km	8.0 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	88 km	30.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,768 acres, 1986).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1986	UNNAMED	77,768	81 km
2011	JUNIPER ROAD	31,511	80 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	53 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,970	74 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	27 km
2020	TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD	2,076	84 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,024	91 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	84 km
2014	SHAKEN CREEK	1,469	77 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	65 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,399	93 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	14 km
2011	SR8	1,311	85 km
2011	WOLF ISLAND	1,310	84 km
2022	JUNIPER ROAD TWO	1,307	81 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,293	74 km
2010	BURNCOMP43	1,259	94 km
2008	EDNA BUCK ROAD	1,256	85 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	42 km
2010	BURNCOMP48	1,061	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	53°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.3 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.2 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.5 in
July	80°F (27°C)	6.3 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (25°C)	5.5 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.3 in
October	62°F (17°C)	2.9 in	Driest
November	53°F (12°C)	3.0 in
December	45°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Clinton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.3") and October the driest (2.9").

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