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Weather & Climate in Richfield, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Richfield 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 644 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 | 644 ft (196 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 347/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4725°N, 80.2595°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Stanly County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 19 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
15 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 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 48 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 116 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 134 km | 6 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 146 km | 4 km |
| Jan 5, 2022 | 5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.6 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 138 km | 2 km |
| Jan 3, 2022 | 5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.5 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Jun 12, 2014 | 4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.5 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 62 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 85 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 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 | 260 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 238 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 236 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 248 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 234 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 282 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 267 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 265 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 262 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 145 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 247 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 115 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 243 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
310 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 396 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 70 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 98 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 57 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 58 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 82 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 67 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 70 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 70 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 44 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 82 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 41 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 28 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 78 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 69 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 90 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 3, 2012 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.9 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 | 90 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 87 km |
| 2008 | 05/05 RX BURN | 2,351 | 94 km |
| 2007 | 06-09 RX BURN | 2,054 | 98 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 47 km |
| 2021 | SLATES CHURCH FIRE | 1,824 | 91 km |
| 1998 | 980803 | 1,780 | 97 km |
| 1999 | 19990505 | 1,756 | 94 km |
| 2016 | COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE | 1,704 | 85 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,523 | 96 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,454 | 98 km |
| 2008 | 08/06 RX BURN | 1,451 | 98 km |
| 2024 | 0505NS CRR RX | 1,382 | 94 km |
| 1994 | COMP 3 | 1,382 | 92 km |
| 2002 | 2001 0505 | 1,376 | 94 km |
| 1994 | COMP 5 | 1,341 | 94 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,336 | 94 km |
| 1997 | 50297 | 1,320 | 94 km |
| 2004 | 2004-0505 RX BURN | 1,294 | 94 km |
| 2010 | CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE | 1,252 | 89 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 | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Richfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (3.2").