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Weather & Climate in Hillsborough, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hillsborough enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 80°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 47.2 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 553 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.5°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 553 ft (169 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,676/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.0779°N, 79.0980°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Orange County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 16.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 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: M2.7.
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 72 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 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 | 248 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 297 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 240 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 277 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 273 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 259 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 280 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 256 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 143 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 211 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 223 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 104 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 181 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 238 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 272 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 242 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
279 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 473 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 39 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 85 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 89 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 87 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 7 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 77 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 96 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 80 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 66 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 20 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 60 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 58 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 78 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 42 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF2 | 100 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.9 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OVERHILLS (1,436 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 95 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 3.3 in |
Hillsborough has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and April the driest (3.2").