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Weather & Climate in Lillington, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lillington enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°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). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 141 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.4°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (11.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 610/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4131°N, 78.8117°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Harnett County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 27.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 113 km | 8 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 112 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 118 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 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 | 238 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 171 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 228 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 162 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 199 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 209 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 213 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 207 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 258 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 180 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 278 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 169 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 259 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 150 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 292 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 152 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 26 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 119 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 223 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 225 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
354 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 60 fatalities, 1,369 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 51 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 65 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 94 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 89 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 81 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 46 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 53 km | 52.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 89 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 14 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 81 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 65 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 86 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 38 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 59 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 88 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 76 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 57 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,642 acres, 1986).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 72 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 99 km |
| 2021 | SLATES CHURCH FIRE | 1,824 | 78 km |
| 2016 | COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE | 1,704 | 78 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 26 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 70 km |
| 2010 | CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE | 1,252 | 80 km |
| 2018 | STRAUSBURG ROAD | 1,219 | 77 km |
| 2017 | GARDNER FARM LANE | 1,112 | 79 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,090 | 71 km |
| 2011 | VALENTINE | 1,083 | 60 km |
| 2024 | HORSESHOE LAKE | 990 | 66 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR CREEK | 872 | 61 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 871 | 90 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 835 | 94 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 86 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 748 | 74 km |
| 2007 | JACKSON SWAMP COMPLEX | 744 | 87 km |
| 2015 | RIFLE RANGE FIRE | 698 | 78 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 686 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in |
Lillington has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and November the driest (3.1").