Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Four Oaks 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 206 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
206 ft (63 m)
Area
1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density
844/sq mi
Coordinates
35.4456°N, 78.4176°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Johnston County County
Nearest Airport
Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 36 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall51.0"
34% above US avg
Snowfall1.8"
Wettest Month (Jul)5.51"
Driest Month (Nov)2.99"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
85.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
29.2 / 100
Community Resilience
47.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very 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 Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
146 km
8 km
Jul 12, 1993
5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina
M2.7
143 km
5 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
142 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
2022
Ian
Category 1
81 mph
249 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
172 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
204 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
150 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
195 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
183 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
178 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
186 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
230 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
293 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
185 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
134 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
245 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
129 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
270 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
131 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
37 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
89 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
299 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
258 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
394 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 57 fatalities, 1,406 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988
EF4
56 km
83.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
59 km
28.0 mi
16
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
47 km
21.0 mi
3
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
81 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
47 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
79 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
53 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
82 km
65.2 mi
6
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
81 km
52.9 mi
2
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
56 km
8.2 mi
1
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
24 km
160.0 mi
0
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
99 km
5.5 mi
2
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
80 km
40.0 mi
12
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
54 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
79 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
83 km
8.5 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
61 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
56 km
25.8 mi
0
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
67 km
46.9 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
75 km
8.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
19 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (7,944 acres, 1994).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
96 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
71 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
98 km
2006
OVERHILLS
1,436
58 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,319
63 km
2011
VALENTINE
1,083
71 km
2024
HORSESHOE LAKE
990
72 km
2022
CEDAR CREEK
872
69 km
1993
UNNAMED
835
86 km
2008
TUSSOCK BAY
800
95 km
2008
HIGHWAY 1
766
77 km
2007
JACKSON SWAMP COMPLEX
744
98 km
2009
UNNAMED
686
92 km
2009
UNNAMED
640
75 km
1985
UNNAMED
575
93 km
2018
OLD HOUSE BAY
559
94 km
2009
UNNAMED
552
100 km
1985
UNNAMED
535
72 km
1995
UNNAMED
510
48 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
44°F (7°C)
3.7 in
March
52°F (11°C)
4.4 in
April
60°F (16°C)
3.2 in
May
68°F (20°C)
4.0 in
June
75°F (24°C)
4.1 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.5 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (25°C)
4.9 in
September
72°F (22°C)
4.3 in
October
61°F (16°C)
3.1 in
November
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
Driest
December
44°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Four Oaks has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and November the driest (3.0").