Weather & Climate in Fairplains, NC

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

Fairplains enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 299 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 51.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,270 feet.

Temperature

38°F Jan (3°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	57.3°F
	6% above US avg
January Average	38°F (3°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,270 ft (387 m)
Area	4.2 sq mi (10.9 km²)
Population Density	446/sq mi
Coordinates	36.1929°N, 81.1515°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wilkes County County
Nearest Airport	Statesville Regional (SVH) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.7"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 5.6"

Wettest Month (May) 4.57"

Driest Month (Jan) 3.50"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	82.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.0 / 100
Community Resilience	26.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	69 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	102 km	5 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	78 km	9 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	148 km	18 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	70 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	91 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	115 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	101 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	46 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	126 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	111 km	4 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	130 km	11 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	131 km	0 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	120 km	3 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	120 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	124 km	4 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	136 km	6 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	70 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	112 km	9 km
Feb 8, 2005	15 km E of Vansant, Virginia	M2.7	134 km	9 km

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

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	247 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	166 km

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

Tornado History

227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 278 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	41 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	89 km	14.0 mi	4
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	88 km	19.6 mi	3
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	100 km	4.3 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF3	73 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	72 km	2.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	82 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	80 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	33 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	75 km	1.9 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	94 km	6.2 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	54 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	52 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	55 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	64 km	16.1 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	67 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	99 km	12.5 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	78 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	78 km	2.6 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	55 km	2.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	76 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	80 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	78 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	67 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	77 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	70 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,242	74 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	66 km
2008	SUNRISE	1,906	79 km
2015	UNNAMED	1,879	88 km
2016	RAILROAD GRADE 2016	1,790	86 km
2016	TOMBSTONE	1,747	89 km
2017	DOBSON KNOB	1,720	87 km
2010	HUFF HOLLOW	1,566	94 km
1987	HAMPTON	1,536	92 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,504	91 km
2016	HORTON	1,480	38 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,460	94 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,388	100 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,375	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	38°F (3°C)	3.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	39°F (4°C)	3.7 in
March	47°F (8°C)	4.5 in
April	55°F (13°C)	3.8 in
May	63°F (17°C)	4.6 in	Wettest
June	71°F (22°C)	4.5 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.3 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.2 in
October	57°F (14°C)	4.1 in
November	47°F (9°C)	3.5 in
December	39°F (4°C)	3.5 in

Fairplains has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (3.5").

View full profile of Fairplains, NC →