Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Franklinton, NC

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

Franklinton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 305 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 48.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 405 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.1°F
9% above US avg
January Average40°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation405 ft (123 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density1,377/sq mi
Coordinates36.1011°N, 78.4551°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyFranklin County County
Nearest AirportRaleigh-Durham International (RDU)
24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.3"
27% above US avg
Snowfall 1.7"
Wettest Month (Aug) 4.61"
Driest Month (Apr) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability38.4 / 100
Community Resilience31.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
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: M3.8.

Oct 21, 1998 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia M3.8 147 km 13 km
Jul 12, 1993 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina M2.7 123 km 5 km
Mar 26, 2019 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina M2.5 129 km 4 km
Sep 3, 2001 Virginia M2.5 142 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

19 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 245 km
2019 Dorian Category 2 104 mph 257 km
2018 Florence Category 2 104 mph 218 km
2016 Matthew Category 1 81 mph 262 km
2014 Arthur Category 2 98 mph 229 km
2011 Irene Category 1 86 mph 206 km
2005 Ophelia Category 1 86 mph 250 km
2004 Alex Category 2 98 mph 281 km
2004 Charley Category 1 75 mph 257 km
2003 Isabel Category 2 104 mph 95 km
1999 Irene Category 2 109 mph 299 km
1999 Floyd Category 2 104 mph 156 km
1998 Bonnie Category 3 115 mph 179 km
1996 Fran Category 3 115 mph 103 km
1996 Bertha Category 2 104 mph 145 km
1989 Hugo Category 2 98 mph 286 km
1986 Charley Category 1 81 mph 218 km
1985 Gloria Category 2 104 mph 275 km
1984 Diana Category 4 132 mph 234 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

302 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 416 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988 EF4 37 km 83.0 mi 4
Sep 27, 2024 EF3 61 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 8, 2024 EF3 67 km 6.5 mi 1
Jul 19, 2023 EF3 53 km 13.5 mi 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF3 99 km 20.4 mi 0
Nov 15, 2008 EF3 62 km 8.2 mi 1
Nov 23, 1992 EF3 73 km 160.0 mi 0
Nov 23, 1992 EF3 65 km 5.5 mi 2
Oct 14, 1986 EF3 97 km 12.0 mi 0
Mar 24, 1969 EF3 66 km 0.1 mi 1
Nov 8, 1957 EF3 78 km 46.9 mi 0
Mar 15, 1953 EF3 49 km 30.1 mi 0
May 13, 2019 EF2 31 km 17.2 mi 0
Apr 19, 2019 EF2 69 km 10.1 mi 0
Nov 2, 2018 EF2 87 km 1.7 mi 0
Feb 24, 2016 EF2 29 km 5.1 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 95 km 18.1 mi 1
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 62 km 9.0 mi 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 76 km 8.2 mi 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 63 km 26.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2008 LYNCH ROAD 1,824 51 km
2008 SYCAMORE SHORES 1,044 86 km
2008 HIGHWAY 1 766 4 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 40°F (4°C) 3.9 in Coldest
February 42°F (5°C) 3.5 in
March 49°F (10°C) 4.2 in
April 58°F (15°C) 3.1 in Driest
May 66°F (19°C) 4.1 in
June 74°F (23°C) 3.7 in
July 79°F (26°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 76°F (25°C) 4.6 in Wettest
September 71°F (21°C) 4.1 in
October 59°F (15°C) 3.5 in
November 50°F (10°C) 3.2 in
December 42°F (6°C) 3.1 in

Franklinton has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.6") and April the driest (3.1").

View full profile of Franklinton, NC →