Weather & Climate in Rockwell, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Rockwell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 43.7 inches. The area receives 2.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 783 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.3°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	783 ft (239 m)
Area	1.7 sq mi (4.4 km²)
Population Density	1,453/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5530°N, 80.4092°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Rowan County County
Nearest Airport	Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.7"

15% above US avg

Snowfall 2.4"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.33"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.15"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	82.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	42.9 / 100
Community Resilience	48.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
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	122 km	7 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	34 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	132 km	9 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	96 km	8 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	132 km	0 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	149 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	75 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	101 km	2 km
Aug 17, 2021	6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina	M2.7	119 km	6 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	134 km	4 km
Feb 4, 2021	1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina	M2.6	123 km	2 km
Oct 29, 2012	5 km SSE of West Marion, North Carolina	M2.5	144 km	7 km
Jun 12, 2014	4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.5	131 km	7 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	64 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	99 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 3.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2022	Ian	Category 1	81 mph	274 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	253 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	98 mph	252 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	262 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	250 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	294 km
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	275 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	281 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	278 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	160 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	262 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	114 km
1984	Diana	Category 4	132 mph	259 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

326 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 244 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	95 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	70 km	13.0 mi	1
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	54 km	4.3 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF3	48 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	52 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	75 km	18.5 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	68 km	12.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF3	63 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	62 km	3.5 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	54 km	1.0 mi	1
May 26, 2022	EF2	66 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 31, 2022	EF2	52 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	84 km	0.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	15 km	6.2 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	80 km	32.8 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	91 km	4.9 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	79 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	43 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	56 km	5.9 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	41 km	2.9 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,989 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	61 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	34 km
2021	GRINDSTONE	1,106	88 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	91 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	64 km
2019	UNNAMED	748	94 km
1992	COMP 6 B	737	62 km
2019	ROBEDO SOUTH RX	727	48 km
2018	SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-01	716	100 km
2018	UNNAMED	665	37 km
2024	COYOTE	663	90 km
2013	EASTLINE RX	594	100 km
2022	PINE ROAD	582	33 km
2022	UNNAMED	579	50 km
2020	UNNAMED	565	51 km
2004	PARTNER	544	98 km
2009	UNNAMED	536	61 km
2024	0101/02_0202 PER RX	511	61 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	3.7 in
March	50°F (10°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	3.2 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.0 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	76°F (25°C)	3.8 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.7 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.7 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.2 in	Driest
December	42°F (6°C)	3.4 in

Rockwell has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.3") and November the driest (3.2").

View full profile of Rockwell, NC →