Weather & Climate in Fuquay-Varina, NC

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

Fuquay-Varina enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 50.7 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 404 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	58.6°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	404 ft (123 m)
Area	19.4 sq mi (50.3 km²)
Population Density	1,945/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5951°N, 78.7766°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wake County County
Nearest Airport	Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.7"

33% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.88"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	87.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
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

4 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	128 km	8 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	106 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	106 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	133 km	14 km

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

Hurricane History

21 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	258 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	190 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	104 mph	239 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	179 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	217 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	219 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	214 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	220 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	267 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	200 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	298 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	156 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	275 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	162 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	165 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	45 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	126 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	234 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	229 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	104 mph	291 km

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

Tornado History

343 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 57 fatalities, 1,309 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988	EF4	31 km	83.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	95 km	28.0 mi	16
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	77 km	21.0 mi	3
Sep 27, 2024	EF3	98 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	74 km	6.5 mi	1
Jul 19, 2023	EF3	93 km	13.5 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	56 km	65.2 mi	6
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	88 km	20.4 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	72 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	79 km	8.2 mi	1
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	16 km	160.0 mi	0
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	65 km	5.5 mi	2
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	91 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	86 km	40.0 mi	12
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	59 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	76 km	25.8 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	95 km	1.0 mi	1
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	94 km	46.9 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	64 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	100 km	9.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,642 acres, 1986).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	91 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	94 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	93 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	45 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	87 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	96 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	93 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	95 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	83 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	80 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	86 km
2022	CEDAR CREEK	872	81 km
2008	HIGHWAY 1	766	66 km
2019	UNNAMED	748	88 km
2015	RIFLE RANGE FIRE	698	94 km
2009	UNNAMED	686	79 km
2009	UNNAMED	640	100 km
2018	MARSHTON ROAD	622	98 km
2009	UNNAMED	552	87 km
1985	UNNAMED	535	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	3.7 in
March	51°F (10°C)	4.3 in
April	60°F (15°C)	3.1 in	Driest
May	67°F (20°C)	3.9 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.0 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.6 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.1 in
October	60°F (16°C)	3.2 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.1 in
December	43°F (6°C)	3.3 in

Fuquay-Varina has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and April the driest (3.1").

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