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Weather & Climate in Gastonia, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gastonia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 297 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 43.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 774 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.7°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 774 ft (236 m) |
| Area | 53.7 sq mi (139.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,519/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2490°N, 81.1848°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Gaston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 102 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 128 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 127 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 128 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 50 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 107 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 86 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 111 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 148 km | 3 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 93 km | 6 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 84 km | 9 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 146 km | 11 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 113 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 283 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 288 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 290 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 279 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 290 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 226 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 62 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 3 | 127 mph | 298 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
381 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 24 fatalities, 458 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 71 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 44 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 70 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 51 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 99 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 95 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 88 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 75 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 15 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 55 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 81 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 88 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 75 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 63 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 22 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 58 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 52 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 71 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2012 | EF2 | 45 km | 2.9 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 | 94 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 99 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 92 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 59 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 66 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 63 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 91 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 99 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 93 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 100 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 81 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 95 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 84 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 84 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 83 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 84 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 95 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 88 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,000 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
Gastonia has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in December to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (3.1").