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Weather & Climate in Raeford, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Raeford 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 48.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 258 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.4°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 258 ft (79 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,062/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.9813°N, 79.2296°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Scotland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 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 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 57 km | 8 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 61 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 | 187 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 138 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 109 mph | 214 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 133 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 166 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 208 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 242 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 199 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 263 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 140 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 223 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 222 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 243 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 158 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 279 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 154 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 54 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 149 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 174 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 249 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
337 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 1,525 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 94 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 52 km | 40.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 60 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 90 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 77 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 34 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 40 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 10 km | 52.9 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 74 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 37 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| May 20, 1980 | EF3 | 74 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 30 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 67 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 27 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 93 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 55 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 64 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 25, 2010 | EF2 | 99 km | 3.0 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 | 52 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 52 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 68 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 76 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 51 km |
| 1994 | CM 15 16 17 | 1,871 | 98 km |
| 2021 | SLATES CHURCH FIRE | 1,824 | 22 km |
| 1998 | 980803 | 1,780 | 98 km |
| 2016 | COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE | 1,704 | 26 km |
| 1995 | 95 15 2 | 1,619 | 100 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,523 | 100 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,454 | 98 km |
| 2008 | 08/06 RX BURN | 1,451 | 98 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 35 km |
| 1997 | 150197 | 1,425 | 100 km |
| 1994 | COMP 3 | 1,382 | 98 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 78 km |
| 2010 | CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE | 1,252 | 25 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 91 km |
| 2018 | STRAUSBURG ROAD | 1,219 | 23 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Raeford has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.6") and April the driest (2.9").