Weather & Climate in Lexington, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Lexington enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 45.5 inches. The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 728 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	728 ft (222 m)
Area	18.0 sq mi (46.6 km²)
Population Density	1,025/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7972°N, 80.2743°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Davidson County County
Nearest Airport	Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.5"

20% above US avg

Snowfall 3.3"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.21"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.19"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	42.4 / 100
Community Resilience	37.1 / 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 Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.

Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	54 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	132 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	147 km	9 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	115 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	110 km	0 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	49 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	91 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	127 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	112 km	4 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	109 km	2 km
Jun 12, 2014	4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.5	130 km	7 km
Mar 28, 2011	2 km S of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.5	143 km	3 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	39 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	119 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2022	Ian	Category 1	81 mph	295 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	266 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	98 mph	263 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	81 mph	281 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	265 km
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	252 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	283 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	281 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	157 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	258 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	143 km
1984	Diana	Category 4	132 mph	269 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

291 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 232 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	100 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	100 km	13.0 mi	1
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	25 km	4.3 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF3	22 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	27 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	72 km	12.0 mi	2
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	98 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	34 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	34 km	3.5 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	43 km	1.0 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	63 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 31, 2022	EF2	77 km	7.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	42 km	6.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	99 km	10.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	54 km	32.8 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	54 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	40 km	5.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	46 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	71 km	2.9 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	9 km	12.5 mi	2

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,989 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	81 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	46 km
2021	GRINDSTONE	1,106	63 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	98 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	84 km
2011	LUMBER PLANT	779	98 km
1992	COMP 6 B	737	82 km
2019	ROBEDO SOUTH RX	727	60 km
2018	UNNAMED	665	53 km
2022	PINE ROAD	582	47 km
2022	UNNAMED	579	63 km
2020	UNNAMED	565	63 km
2009	UNNAMED	536	81 km
2024	0101/02_0202 PER RX	511	82 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.7 in	Coldest
February	42°F (6°C)	3.7 in
March	50°F (10°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	3.2 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.1 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.9 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.5 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.6 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.2 in
December	42°F (6°C)	3.5 in

Lexington has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.2") and April the driest (3.2").

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