Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Oxford, NC

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

Oxford enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 305 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 448 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average59.4°F
10% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation448 ft (137 m)
Area6.4 sq mi (16.6 km²)
Population Density1,390/sq mi
Coordinates36.3217°N, 78.5865°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyGranville County County
Nearest AirportRaleigh-Durham International (RDU)
33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.6"
23% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.37"
Driest Month (Apr) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score59.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability44.9 / 100
Community Resilience54.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Oct 21, 1998 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia M3.8 123 km 13 km
May 22, 2014 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia M3.1 142 km 10 km
May 6, 2025 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia M3.0 127 km 8 km
Jul 12, 1993 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina M2.7 116 km 5 km
Nov 25, 2009 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia M2.7 140 km 0 km
Mar 26, 2019 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina M2.5 124 km 4 km
Sep 3, 2001 Virginia M2.5 121 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

17 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
2020 Isaias Category 1 92 mph 269 km
2019 Dorian Category 2 104 mph 282 km
2018 Florence Category 2 104 mph 246 km
2016 Matthew Category 1 81 mph 288 km
2014 Arthur Category 2 98 mph 255 km
2011 Irene Category 1 86 mph 225 km
2005 Ophelia Category 1 86 mph 277 km
2004 Charley Category 1 75 mph 281 km
2003 Isabel Category 2 104 mph 90 km
1999 Floyd Category 2 104 mph 175 km
1998 Bonnie Category 3 109 mph 204 km
1996 Fran Category 3 115 mph 125 km
1996 Bertha Category 2 104 mph 172 km
1989 Hugo Category 1 - 290 km
1986 Charley Category 1 81 mph 235 km
1985 Gloria Category 2 104 mph 293 km
1984 Diana Category 4 132 mph 260 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).

Tornado History

258 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 361 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988 EF4 52 km 83.0 mi 4
Sep 27, 2024 EF3 81 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 8, 2024 EF3 93 km 6.5 mi 1
Jul 19, 2023 EF3 73 km 13.5 mi 0
Nov 15, 2008 EF3 87 km 8.2 mi 1
Nov 23, 1992 EF3 60 km 5.5 mi 2
Nov 23, 1992 EF3 95 km 160.0 mi 0
Oct 14, 1986 EF3 89 km 12.0 mi 0
Mar 24, 1969 EF3 39 km 0.1 mi 1
Mar 15, 1953 EF3 75 km 30.1 mi 0
Sep 27, 2024 EF2 91 km 6.9 mi 0
May 13, 2019 EF2 57 km 17.2 mi 0
Apr 19, 2019 EF2 70 km 10.1 mi 0
Nov 2, 2018 EF2 60 km 1.7 mi 0
Feb 24, 2016 EF2 5 km 5.1 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 68 km 18.1 mi 1
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 80 km 8.2 mi 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 89 km 9.0 mi 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 40 km 26.2 mi 0
Oct 27, 2010 EF2 39 km 3.9 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2008 LYNCH ROAD 1,824 61 km
2008 SYCAMORE SHORES 1,044 95 km
2008 HIGHWAY 1 766 24 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 39°F (4°C) 3.7 in Coldest
February 41°F (5°C) 3.4 in
March 49°F (9°C) 4.1 in
April 58°F (14°C) 3.1 in Driest
May 66°F (19°C) 4.1 in
June 74°F (23°C) 3.7 in
July 79°F (26°C) 4.4 in Warmest, Wettest
August 76°F (25°C) 4.4 in
September 70°F (21°C) 3.8 in
October 59°F (15°C) 3.5 in
November 50°F (10°C) 3.2 in
December 42°F (5°C) 3.2 in

Oxford has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and April the driest (3.1").

View full profile of Oxford, NC →