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Weather & Climate in Knightdale, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Knightdale enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 52.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 258 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.9°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 258 ft (79 m) |
| Area | 6.2 sq mi (16.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,028/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.7917°N, 78.4965°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 125 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 |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 285 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 210 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 238 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 188 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 234 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 210 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 197 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 222 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 260 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 222 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 124 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 276 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 153 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 161 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 68 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 120 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 266 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 212 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 270 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 200 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
349 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 39 fatalities, 1,024 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 25 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 85 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 83 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 66 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 51 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 60 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 90 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 52 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 39 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 85 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 92 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 91 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 88 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 94 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 68 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 36 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 83 km | 9.5 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 | 72 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 77 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 38 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.2 in |
Knightdale has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and April the driest (3.1").