Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairmont enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°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 51.4 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 118 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
118 ft (36 m)
Area
2.8 sq mi (7.1 km²)
Population Density
843/sq mi
Coordinates
34.4948°N, 79.1132°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Robeson County County
Nearest Airport
Lumberton Regional (LBT) 9 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall51.4"
35% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)5.79"
Driest Month (Nov)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
91.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
98.4 / 100
Community Resilience
14.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Very High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
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: M3.9.
Apr 13, 1998
9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina
M3.9
137 km
7 km
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
119 km
2 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
75 km
8 km
Jan 3, 2022
5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.5
150 km
2 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
75 km
14 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
2022
Ian
Category 1
81 mph
133 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
87 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
165 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
86 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
111 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
165 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
226 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
162 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
227 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
172 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
86 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
241 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
200 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
128 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
235 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
130 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
85 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
122 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
156 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
231 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
394 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 58 fatalities, 1,486 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
45 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
75 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
47 km
40.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
61 km
17.0 mi
7
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
22 km
0.8 mi
0
Feb 15, 2021
EF3
85 km
21.9 mi
3
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
58 km
52.9 mi
2
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
96 km
65.2 mi
6
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
82 km
2.2 mi
8
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
43 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
42 km
10.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
67 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
76 km
25.8 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
94 km
77.3 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
64 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 17, 1965
EF3
84 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
45 km
21.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
59 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
91 km
4.7 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
90 km
0.2 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
80 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,968
66 km
1997
UNNAMED
3,111
99 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,743
68 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
65 km
2001
UNNAMED
2,204
80 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
8 km
1994
CM 15 16 17
1,871
97 km
2021
SLATES CHURCH FIRE
1,824
62 km
1998
980803
1,780
100 km
2016
COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE
1,704
68 km
2002
LEGENDS
1,666
85 km
1995
95 15 2
1,619
100 km
1991
UNNAMED
1,454
99 km
2008
08/06 RX BURN
1,451
100 km
2006
OVERHILLS
1,436
82 km
1990
UNNAMED
1,335
83 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,319
79 km
1987
UNNAMED
1,318
100 km
2010
CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE
1,252
64 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
3.6 in
March
54°F (12°C)
4.4 in
April
61°F (16°C)
2.9 in
May
69°F (21°C)
4.0 in
June
76°F (25°C)
4.8 in
July
79°F (26°C)
5.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
79°F (26°C)
5.3 in
September
74°F (23°C)
4.1 in
October
63°F (17°C)
3.0 in
November
55°F (13°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
47°F (8°C)
3.2 in
Fairmont has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.8") and November the driest (2.8").