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Weather & Climate in Roanoke Rapids, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Roanoke Rapids enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 305 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 49.5 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 141 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.6°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 141 ft (43 m) |
| Area | 10.0 sq mi (25.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,516/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.4460°N, 77.6486°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Halifax County County |
| Nearest Airport | Halifax/Northampton Regional (RZZ) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 129 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 146 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 134 km | 13 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 126 km | 10 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.6 | 141 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.5 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 3 km WNW of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.5 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Sep 3, 2001 | Virginia | M2.5 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
19 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 | 294 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 231 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 239 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 245 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 196 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 153 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 247 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 248 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 29 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 287 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 113 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 164 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 168 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 161 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 265 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 269 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 156 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 220 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 272 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
329 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 35 fatalities, 796 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF4 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 4 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 54 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 54 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 92 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 74 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 81 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 91 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 39 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 100 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 53 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 85 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 76 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 49 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 97 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 84 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 85 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OLD STAGE ROAD (2,238 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | OLD STAGE ROAD | 2,238 | 61 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 34 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 42 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 20 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 81 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 in |
Roanoke Rapids has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (2.9").