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Weather & Climate in Pinehurst, NC

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

Pinehurst enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°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 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 509 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation509 ft (155 m)
Area14.6 sq mi (37.7 km²)
Population Density1,076/sq mi
Coordinates35.1911°N, 79.4698°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMoore County County
Nearest AirportFayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY)
36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.8"
26% above US avg
Snowfall 1.3"
Wettest Month (Jul) 5.16"
Driest Month (Apr) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median40.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score75.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability40.0 / 100
Community Resilience52.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

6 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 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 126 km 9 km
Mar 21, 2011 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina M2.9 52 km 8 km
Jul 12, 1993 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina M2.7 99 km 5 km
Mar 26, 2019 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina M2.5 90 km 4 km
Jul 29, 2012 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina M2.5 57 km 14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

20 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 212 km
2020 Isaias Category 1 92 mph 169 km
2019 Dorian Category 2 109 mph 246 km
2018 Florence Category 2 104 mph 165 km
2016 Matthew Category 1 92 mph 193 km
2014 Arthur Category 2 98 mph 239 km
2011 Irene Category 1 86 mph 267 km
2005 Ophelia Category 1 86 mph 231 km
2004 Alex Category 2 98 mph 295 km
2004 Charley Category 1 81 mph 170 km
2004 Gaston Category 1 75 mph 244 km
2003 Isabel Category 2 104 mph 231 km
1999 Irene Category 2 92 mph 275 km
1999 Floyd Category 2 104 mph 187 km
1998 Bonnie Category 3 115 mph 184 km
1996 Fran Category 3 115 mph 70 km
1996 Bertha Category 2 104 mph 171 km
1989 Hugo Category 4 138 mph 158 km
1986 Charley Category 1 75 mph 276 km
1984 Diana Category 4 132 mph 170 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

322 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 52 fatalities, 1,384 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988 EF4 100 km 83.0 mi 4
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 65 km 17.0 mi 7
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 64 km 40.0 mi 4
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 79 km 7.0 mi 0
Apr 8, 1957 EF4 62 km 0.8 mi 0
Apr 16, 2011 EF3 22 km 65.2 mi 6
Apr 16, 2011 EF3 36 km 52.9 mi 2
Nov 23, 1992 EF3 78 km 160.0 mi 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF3 68 km 40.0 mi 12
May 20, 1980 EF3 92 km 10.7 mi 0
Feb 22, 1971 EF3 52 km 85.7 mi 2
Apr 18, 1969 EF3 92 km 25.8 mi 0
Oct 7, 1965 EF3 61 km 1.0 mi 1
Aug 29, 1964 EF3 44 km 21.9 mi 0
Mar 31, 2022 EF2 70 km 7.2 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 58 km 0.2 mi 0
Apr 19, 2019 EF2 85 km 10.1 mi 0
Apr 15, 2018 EF2 99 km 32.8 mi 0
Nov 16, 2011 EF2 90 km 12.5 mi 2
Apr 16, 2011 EF2 96 km 13.1 mi 1
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 52 km
1985 UNNAMED 2,743 50 km
1986 UNNAMED 2,642 97 km
2008 05/05 RX BURN 2,351 95 km
2007 06-09 RX BURN 2,054 97 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,989 55 km
2007 LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX 1,944 81 km
1998 981406 1,892 98 km
1994 CM 15 16 17 1,871 96 km
2021 SLATES CHURCH FIRE 1,824 24 km
1998 980803 1,780 93 km
1999 19990505 1,756 94 km
2016 COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE 1,704 20 km
1992 COMP 15 1,697 96 km
2018 SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14 1,687 99 km
2012 4-NOV 1,636 99 km
1995 95 15 2 1,619 96 km
1996 96 3 3 1,550 98 km
1993 COMP 14 1,538 98 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,523 95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 42°F (5°C) 4.0 in Coldest
February 44°F (7°C) 3.8 in
March 52°F (11°C) 4.3 in
April 60°F (16°C) 3.0 in Driest
May 68°F (20°C) 4.0 in
June 75°F (24°C) 4.4 in
July 80°F (27°C) 5.2 in Warmest, Wettest
August 77°F (25°C) 4.8 in
September 72°F (22°C) 3.6 in
October 61°F (16°C) 3.3 in
November 52°F (11°C) 3.1 in
December 44°F (7°C) 3.4 in

Pinehurst has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.0").

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