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Weather & Climate in McDonald, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McDonald enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°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 42.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 146 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.5°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 146 ft (45 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 381/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5537°N, 79.1763°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Robeson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lumberton Regional (LBT) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 14.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 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 | 131 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 149 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 149 km | 4 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 119 km | 2 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 67 km | 8 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 149 km | 2 km |
| Mar 9, 2024 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.7 | 149 km | 3 km |
| Jan 5, 2022 | 5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.6 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Apr 26, 2025 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.6 | 149 km | 2 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.6 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Jan 3, 2022 | 5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.5 | 146 km | 2 km |
| Sep 15, 2024 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.5 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 68 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 | 139 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 96 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 174 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 94 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 118 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 174 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 233 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 170 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 235 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 95 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 177 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 242 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 208 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 137 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 244 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 136 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 84 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 129 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 156 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 237 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
383 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 58 fatalities, 1,494 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 49 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 54 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 40 km | 40.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 68 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 14 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 52 km | 52.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 42 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| May 20, 1980 | EF3 | 40 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 63 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 89 km | 77.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 76 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 36 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 95 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HIGHWAY 31 (17,004 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | HIGHWAY 31 | 17,004 | 88 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 58 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 60 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 67 km |
| 2008 | 05/05 RX BURN | 2,351 | 98 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 89 km |
| 2007 | 06-09 RX BURN | 2,054 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 100 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 11 km |
| 1998 | 981406 | 1,892 | 94 km |
| 1994 | CM 15 16 17 | 1,871 | 91 km |
| 2021 | SLATES CHURCH FIRE | 1,824 | 54 km |
| 1998 | 980803 | 1,780 | 93 km |
| 2000 | 2000 1003 | 1,768 | 99 km |
| 1999 | 19990505 | 1,756 | 98 km |
| 2016 | COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE | 1,704 | 59 km |
| 1992 | COMP 15 | 1,697 | 94 km |
| 2018 | SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14 | 1,687 | 96 km |
| 2002 | LEGENDS | 1,666 | 93 km |
| 2012 | 4-NOV | 1,636 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 5.1 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 3.2 in |
McDonald has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.7") and November the driest (2.8").