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Weather & Climate in Polkton, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Polkton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°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 48.3 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 274 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.3°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 274 ft (84 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 905/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0030°N, 80.1963°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Stanly County County |
| Nearest Airport | Concord-Padgett Regional (USA) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| 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
20 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 | 70 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 105 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 106 km | 4 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 81 km | 9 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 129 km | 1 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 39 km | 8 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 128 km | 2 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2024 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.7 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Apr 26, 2025 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.6 | 106 km | 2 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.6 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Jan 5, 2022 | 5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.6 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Jan 3, 2022 | 5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.5 | 103 km | 2 km |
| Jan 24, 2019 | 6 km NNW of Jenkinsville, South Carolina | M2.5 | 127 km | 4 km |
| Sep 15, 2024 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.5 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 107 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 39 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 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 | 210 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 198 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 109 mph | 272 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 199 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 200 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 276 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 276 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 192 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 229 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 294 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 242 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 238 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 138 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 233 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 89 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 207 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
350 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 37 fatalities, 1,163 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 49 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 68 km | 40.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 66 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 57 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 53 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 54 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 97 km | 52.9 mi | 2 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | EF3 | 89 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 81 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 44 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1980 | EF3 | 92 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 65 km | 77.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 73 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 12 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 89 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 24 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 64 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,968 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 48 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,094 | 57 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 46 km |
| 2008 | 05/05 RX BURN | 2,351 | 42 km |
| 2007 | 06-09 RX BURN | 2,054 | 46 km |
| 2022 | SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 2,039 | 52 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 16 km |
| 1998 | 981406 | 1,892 | 51 km |
| 1994 | CM 15 16 17 | 1,871 | 50 km |
| 2021 | SLATES CHURCH FIRE | 1,824 | 66 km |
| 1994 | COMP 1112 | 1,798 | 52 km |
| 1998 | 980803 | 1,780 | 45 km |
| 2000 | 2000 1003 | 1,768 | 50 km |
| 1999 | 19990505 | 1,756 | 42 km |
| 2016 | COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE | 1,704 | 62 km |
| 1992 | COMP 15 | 1,697 | 49 km |
| 2018 | SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14 | 1,687 | 50 km |
| 2012 | 4-NOV | 1,636 | 50 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,623 | 53 km |
| 1995 | 95 15 2 | 1,619 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.4 in |
Polkton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and April the driest (2.9").