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Weather & Climate in Rich Square, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rich Square enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 299 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 50.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 73 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.0°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 73 ft (22 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 252/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2739°N, 77.2839°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Northampton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Halifax/Northampton Regional (RZZ) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very 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 | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 6, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Bayboro, North Carolina | M3.6 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 124 km | 4 km |
| Sep 3, 2001 | Virginia | M2.5 | 148 km | 5 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 |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 286 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 193 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 220 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 210 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 159 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 117 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 217 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 212 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 59 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 250 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 77 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 291 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 109 mph | 135 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 175 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 145 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 227 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 231 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 119 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 182 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 253 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
369 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 31 fatalities, 500 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 61 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 56 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 86 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 37 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 82 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 72 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 71 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 53 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 18 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 72 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 92 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 76 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 92 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 99 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 49 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 79 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 78 km |
| 2008 | OLD STAGE ROAD | 2,238 | 82 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 90 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 57 km |
| 1991 | TRIANGLE | 1,387 | 90 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 83 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 69 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,091 | 77 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 22 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO | 979 | 94 km |
| 2004 | PUNGO SOUTH RX | 967 | 94 km |
| 2010 | RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST | 962 | 94 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 945 | 93 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX CENTRAL PUNGO | 783 | 92 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 75 km |
| 2006 | WEST DRUMMOND | 562 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Rich Square has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and November the driest (2.9").