Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Laurinburg enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 310 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 46.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 218 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
63.7°F
18% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
310 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
218 ft (66 m)
Area
12.6 sq mi (32.5 km²)
Population Density
1,202/sq mi
Coordinates
34.7621°N, 79.4774°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Scotland County County
Nearest Airport
Lumberton Regional (LBT) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.6"
23% above US avg
Snowfall1.1"
Wettest Month (Jul)5.75"
Driest Month (Apr)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
63.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
97.5 / 100
Community Resilience
25.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
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
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.9.
Apr 13, 1998
9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina
M3.9
108 km
7 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.6
132 km
3 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.5
132 km
3 km
Jun 26, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.4
132 km
4 km
May 9, 2022
5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.3
133 km
4 km
Jun 5, 1998
4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina
M3.2
148 km
9 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
33 km
8 km
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
119 km
2 km
May 10, 2022
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.8
132 km
2 km
Jul 12, 1993
5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina
M2.7
145 km
5 km
Mar 9, 2024
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.7
133 km
3 km
May 10, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
132 km
2 km
Apr 26, 2025
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
132 km
2 km
Jan 5, 2022
5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.6
131 km
0 km
Jan 3, 2022
5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.5
130 km
2 km
Sep 15, 2024
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.5
132 km
2 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
135 km
4 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
35 km
14 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
2022
Ian
Category 1
81 mph
165 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
131 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
210 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
130 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
147 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
210 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
263 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
205 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
270 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
129 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
196 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
253 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
244 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
173 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
279 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
168 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
86 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
162 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
148 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
267 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
352 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 1,353 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
70 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
28 km
17.0 mi
7
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
19 km
40.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
45 km
7.0 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
27 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
66 km
65.2 mi
6
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
42 km
52.9 mi
2
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
56 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
44 km
10.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
62 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
92 km
25.8 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
71 km
77.3 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
96 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
6 km
21.9 mi
0
Mar 31, 2022
EF2
79 km
7.2 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
48 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
68 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
76 km
29.9 mi
3
Apr 25, 2010
EF2
75 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 25, 2010
EF2
66 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (3,968 acres, 1991).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1991
UNNAMED
3,968
25 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,094
80 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,743
26 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
88 km
2008
05/05 RX BURN
2,351
72 km
2007
06-09 RX BURN
2,054
73 km
2022
SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
2,039
78 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,989
64 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
46 km
1998
981406
1,892
71 km
1994
CM 15 16 17
1,871
68 km
2021
SLATES CHURCH FIRE
1,824
23 km
1994
COMP 1112
1,798
79 km
1998
980803
1,780
68 km
2000
2000 1003
1,768
75 km
1999
19990505
1,756
71 km
2016
COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE
1,704
28 km
1992
COMP 15
1,697
70 km
2018
SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14
1,687
72 km
2012
4-NOV
1,636
72 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
44°F (7°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
3.8 in
March
53°F (12°C)
4.3 in
April
62°F (16°C)
2.8 in
Driest
May
69°F (21°C)
3.7 in
June
76°F (25°C)
4.7 in
July
82°F (28°C)
5.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (26°C)
4.8 in
September
73°F (23°C)
3.9 in
October
62°F (17°C)
3.1 in
November
53°F (12°C)
3.0 in
December
45°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Laurinburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 44°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.8") and April the driest (2.8").