Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gatesville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 299 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 2.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 22 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
62.1°F
15% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
299 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
22 ft (7 m)
Area
0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density
775/sq mi
Coordinates
36.4074°N, 76.7566°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Gates County County
Nearest Airport
Franklin Regional (FKN) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall51.0"
34% above US avg
Snowfall2.3"
Wettest Month (Jul)5.35"
Driest Month (Nov)2.91"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
10.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
42.8 / 100
Community Resilience
10.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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: M3.6.
Aug 6, 1994
4 km SSW of Bayboro, North Carolina
M3.6
145 km
0 km
Aug 3, 1995
13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia
M2.9
110 km
1 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
124 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
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
170 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
244 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
202 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
132 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
76 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
98 mph
294 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
209 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
187 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
71 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
228 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
73 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
284 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 2
109 mph
102 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
221 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
174 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
188 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
195 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
82 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
152 km
1984
Diana
Category 4
132 mph
270 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
360 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 31 fatalities, 476 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 30, 2023
EF3
80 km
4.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
59 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
83 km
46.9 mi
2
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
40 km
17.9 mi
12
Apr 28, 2008
EF3
34 km
24.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1986
EF3
100 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
50 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
7 km
14.0 mi
2
Sep 5, 1979
EF3
70 km
2.5 mi
0
Apr 19, 1978
EF3
90 km
35.6 mi
0
Jul 4, 1967
EF3
22 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
34 km
15.9 mi
0
Mar 31, 2017
EF2
60 km
8.9 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
39 km
33.5 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
39 km
37.5 mi
1
Apr 7, 2014
EF2
94 km
4.7 mi
0
Aug 26, 2011
EF2
72 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
85 km
8.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
22 km
17.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
39 km
22.6 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1985
ALLAN ROAD
110,696
91 km
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
87 km
2011
LATERAL WEST
6,188
30 km
2008
SOUTH 1
5,940
30 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
82 km
1999
NORTH RIVER
3,055
69 km
2009
SW MASHOES
2,499
97 km
2008
OLD STAGE ROAD
2,238
94 km
2008
MCPHERSON ROAD
2,087
40 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
87 km
2014
NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH
1,876
73 km
2010
1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10
1,506
74 km
2005
1.1.2 NORTH MARSH
1,418
74 km
1991
TRIANGLE
1,387
80 km
2005
1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH
1,338
73 km
1998
SE BLOCKS
1,278
34 km
1994
UNIT 5
1,148
74 km
2008
POCAHONTAS ROAD
1,146
92 km
1985
UNNAMED
1,091
30 km
2009
1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09
1,087
73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
4.1 in
February
42°F (6°C)
3.6 in
Coldest
March
50°F (10°C)
4.1 in
April
58°F (15°C)
3.3 in
May
66°F (19°C)
4.2 in
June
74°F (23°C)
4.3 in
July
81°F (27°C)
5.4 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
77°F (25°C)
5.2 in
September
72°F (22°C)
4.2 in
October
61°F (16°C)
3.6 in
November
52°F (11°C)
2.9 in
Driest
December
44°F (7°C)
3.4 in
Gatesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.4") and November the driest (2.9").