Weather & Climate in Denton, NC

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

Denton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 45.5 inches. The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 713 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	713 ft (217 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density	605/sq mi
Coordinates	35.6380°N, 80.1102°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Davidson County County
Nearest Airport	Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.5"

20% above US avg

Snowfall 3.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.61"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.11"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	42.4 / 100
Community Resilience	37.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

11 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	137 km	7 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	62 km	9 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	94 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	132 km	0 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	51 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	113 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	143 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	134 km	4 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	132 km	2 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	39 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	97 km	14 km

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

Hurricane History

13 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	273 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	243 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	98 mph	240 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	259 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	242 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	297 km
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	247 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	261 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	259 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	137 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	239 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	138 km
1984	Diana	Category 4	132 mph	246 km

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

Tornado History

291 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 347 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	92 km	13.0 mi	1
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	80 km	65.2 mi	6
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	36 km	4.3 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF3	45 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	49 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	86 km	12.0 mi	2
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	97 km	5.5 mi	2
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	90 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	53 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	53 km	3.5 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	25 km	1.0 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	83 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 31, 2022	EF2	61 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	85 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	44 km	6.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	89 km	10.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	55 km	32.8 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	76 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	63 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	63 km	5.9 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,743 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	98 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	62 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	94 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	88 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	93 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	25 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	93 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	93 km
2021	GRINDSTONE	1,106	85 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	75 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	64 km
2009	UNNAMED	871	98 km
2019	UNNAMED	748	79 km
1992	COMP 6 B	737	62 km
2019	ROBEDO SOUTH RX	727	38 km
2015	RIFLE RANGE FIRE	698	91 km
2018	UNNAMED	665	32 km
2018	MARSHTON ROAD	622	91 km
2022	PINE ROAD	582	26 km
2022	UNNAMED	579	41 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	3.7 in
March	51°F (10°C)	4.3 in
April	59°F (15°C)	3.2 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.1 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.6 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	76°F (25°C)	4.2 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.7 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in
November	51°F (10°C)	3.1 in	Driest
December	42°F (6°C)	3.4 in

Denton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and November the driest (3.1").

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