Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Garner 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 328 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
328 ft (100 m)
Area
14.8 sq mi (38.3 km²)
Population Density
1,649/sq mi
Coordinates
35.6936°N, 78.6149°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Wake County County
Nearest Airport
Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall50.7"
33% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)4.76"
Driest Month (Apr)3.03"
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
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
147 km
8 km
Jul 12, 1993
5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina
M2.7
115 km
5 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
117 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 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
272 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
200 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
236 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
182 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
225 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
212 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
203 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
219 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
261 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
211 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
139 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
276 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
162 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
163 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
55 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
120 km
1989
Hugo
Category 2
98 mph
251 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
220 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
279 km
1984
Diana
Category 4
132 mph
191 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
348 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,307 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988
EF4
23 km
83.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
79 km
21.0 mi
3
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
86 km
28.0 mi
16
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
80 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
59 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
75 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
75 km
65.2 mi
6
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
79 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
89 km
52.9 mi
2
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
63 km
8.2 mi
1
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
67 km
5.5 mi
2
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
26 km
160.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
99 km
40.0 mi
12
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
85 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
99 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
100 km
8.5 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
74 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
83 km
25.8 mi
0
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
78 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
47 km
30.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (2,642 acres, 1986).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
99 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
87 km
2006
OVERHILLS
1,436
62 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,319
92 km
2011
VALENTINE
1,083
92 km
2024
HORSESHOE LAKE
990
96 km
2022
CEDAR CREEK
872
92 km
2008
HIGHWAY 1
766
51 km
2009
UNNAMED
686
96 km
1995
UNNAMED
510
68 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)
3.6 in
March
51°F (10°C)
4.3 in
April
59°F (15°C)
3.0 in
Driest
May
67°F (20°C)
4.0 in
June
75°F (24°C)
3.8 in
July
78°F (25°C)
4.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (25°C)
4.5 in
September
72°F (22°C)
4.2 in
October
61°F (16°C)
3.2 in
November
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
December
43°F (6°C)
3.2 in
Garner has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (3.0").