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Weather & Climate in Henderson, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Henderson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°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 48.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 444 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.2°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 444 ft (135 m) |
| Area | 8.5 sq mi (22.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,731/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.3260°N, 78.4149°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Vance County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 84.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 39.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
7 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 | 122 km | 13 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 137 km | 10 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Sep 3, 2001 | Virginia | M2.5 | 117 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 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 | 270 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 271 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 240 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 244 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 211 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 270 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 291 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 282 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 76 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 161 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 109 mph | 193 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 128 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 165 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 220 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 278 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 259 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
272 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 383 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 59 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 68 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 85 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 60 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 78 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 98 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 74 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 77 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 93 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 97 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 92 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 68 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 56 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 83 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 12 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 79 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 65 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 82 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 46 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 88 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 80 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 22 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 3.1 in |
Henderson has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and April the driest (3.1").