Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kelford enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°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 49.5 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 91 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)80°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
61.1°F
13% above US avg
January Average
42°F (6°C)
July Average
80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
91 ft (28 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
510/sq mi
Coordinates
36.1812°N, 77.2243°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Northampton County County
Nearest Airport
Halifax/Northampton Regional (RZZ) 25 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall49.5"
30% above US avg
Snowfall0.6"
Wettest Month (Jul)4.92"
Driest Month (Nov)2.87"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
44.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
97.2 / 100
Community Resilience
22.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
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
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
127 km
0 km
Aug 3, 1995
13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia
M2.9
143 km
1 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
112 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 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
279 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
183 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
211 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
199 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
148 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
110 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
205 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
201 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
297 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
47 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
239 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
66 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
279 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
109 mph
124 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
172 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
136 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
219 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
223 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
112 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
173 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
390 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 32 fatalities, 499 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
57 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
89 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
62 km
13.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
44 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
75 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
27 km
17.9 mi
12
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
79 km
8.2 mi
1
Apr 28, 2008
EF3
76 km
24.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1986
EF3
83 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
6 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
52 km
14.0 mi
2
Apr 19, 1978
EF3
84 km
35.6 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
83 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
72 km
8.5 mi
0
Jul 4, 1967
EF3
71 km
2.0 mi
0
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
71 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
91 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
92 km
9.5 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
56 km
15.9 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
49 km
33.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: EVANS ROAD (41,560 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
96 km
2011
LATERAL WEST
6,188
79 km
2008
SOUTH 1
5,940
79 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
92 km
2008
OLD STAGE ROAD
2,238
94 km
2008
MCPHERSON ROAD
2,087
88 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
91 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
62 km
1991
TRIANGLE
1,387
79 km
1998
SE BLOCKS
1,278
82 km
2008
POCAHONTAS ROAD
1,146
80 km
1985
UNNAMED
1,091
73 km
2008
SYCAMORE SHORES
1,044
30 km
2015
NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO
979
82 km
2004
PUNGO SOUTH RX
967
83 km
2010
RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST
962
83 km
2010
UNNAMED
945
82 km
2015
NCPOR FY15 RX CENTRAL PUNGO
783
81 km
2017
VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT
674
84 km
2006
WEST DRUMMOND
562
80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (6°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
February
43°F (6°C)
3.7 in
March
50°F (10°C)
3.9 in
April
59°F (15°C)
3.2 in
May
67°F (19°C)
4.1 in
June
74°F (24°C)
4.2 in
July
80°F (26°C)
4.9 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
77°F (25°C)
4.8 in
September
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
October
60°F (16°C)
3.1 in
November
52°F (11°C)
2.9 in
Driest
December
43°F (6°C)
3.4 in
Kelford has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and November the driest (2.9").