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Weather & Climate in Fairfield, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairfield enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°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 54.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 13 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.2°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 7.0 sq mi (18.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 39/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5504°N, 76.2265°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hyde County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeastern Regional (EDE) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 66.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 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 | 71 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 46 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 277 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 69 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 170 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 97 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 35 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 9 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 218 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 102 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 92 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 298 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 53 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 125 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 54 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 179 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 41 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 208 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 139 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 211 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 109 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 120 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
291 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 18 fatalities, 168 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 71 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 81 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Sep 17, 1952 | EF3 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 73 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 71 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 39 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 90 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | EF2 | 40 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1999 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF2 | 46 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 1996 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1990 | EF2 | 65 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1990 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1989 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 1988 | EF2 | 40 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | ALLAN ROAD | 110,696 | 16 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 20 km |
| 2011 | PAINS BAY | 40,218 | 39 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 30 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 25 km |
| 2009 | 2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES | 4,953 | 53 km |
| 2005 | WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1 | 4,867 | 68 km |
| 2015 | NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH | 4,751 | 67 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 4,031 | 72 km |
| 2007 | TRAINING FIRE | 3,843 | 72 km |
| 2007 | 3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07 | 3,556 | 68 km |
| 2024 | HIGHWAY 12 | 3,502 | 72 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 20 km |
| 2017 | NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2 | 3,303 | 52 km |
| 2003 | ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A | 3,156 | 54 km |
| 2006 | ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5 | 3,139 | 54 km |
| 2022 | NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 3,113 | 67 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 90 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,042 | 68 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.0 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 3.4 in |
Fairfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.0") and April the driest (3.4").