Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Prospect enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°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 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 188 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
63.4°F
17% above US avg
January Average
45°F (7°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
310 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
188 ft (57 m)
Area
3.9 sq mi (10.2 km²)
Population Density
216/sq mi
Coordinates
34.7358°N, 79.2252°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Robeson County County
Nearest Airport
Lumberton Regional (LBT) 13 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.2"
6% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)5.71"
Driest Month (Apr)2.87"
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
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
130 km
7 km
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
130 km
2 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
56 km
8 km
Jan 3, 2022
5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.5
149 km
2 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
145 km
4 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
58 km
14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 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
160 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
114 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
192 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
112 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
139 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
192 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
240 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
184 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
248 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
115 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
196 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
234 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
224 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
151 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
260 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
145 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
70 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
139 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
169 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
243 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
356 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 1,562 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
67 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
96 km
21.0 mi
3
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
66 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
36 km
40.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
49 km
17.0 mi
7
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
7 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
67 km
65.2 mi
6
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
32 km
52.9 mi
2
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
96 km
160.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
34 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
50 km
10.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
47 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
90 km
77.3 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
70 km
25.8 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
90 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
20 km
21.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
85 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
99 km
4.7 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
71 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
46 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
48 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,743
49 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
66 km
2008
05/05 RX BURN
2,351
94 km
2007
06-09 RX BURN
2,054
95 km
2022
SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
2,039
99 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,989
85 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
26 km
1998
981406
1,892
92 km
1994
CM 15 16 17
1,871
89 km
2021
SLATES CHURCH FIRE
1,824
35 km
1998
980803
1,780
90 km
2000
2000 1003
1,768
97 km
1999
19990505
1,756
94 km
2016
COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE
1,704
40 km
1992
COMP 15
1,697
91 km
2018
SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14
1,687
94 km
2012
4-NOV
1,636
94 km
1993
UNNAMED
1,623
95 km
1995
95 15 2
1,619
91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
45°F (7°C)
4.0 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
3.7 in
March
53°F (12°C)
4.3 in
April
62°F (16°C)
2.9 in
Driest
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)
5.0 in
September
73°F (23°C)
4.0 in
October
62°F (17°C)
3.2 in
November
54°F (12°C)
2.9 in
December
46°F (8°C)
3.3 in
Prospect has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.7") and April the driest (2.9").