Weather & Climate in Rolesville, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rolesville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46. 62% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 421 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.1°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 421 ft (128 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,455/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9246°N, 78.4615°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 46.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 61.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 127 km | 4 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 |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 300 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 225 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 245 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 201 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 248 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 217 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 200 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 233 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 268 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 237 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 110 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 285 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 152 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 168 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 83 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 129 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 275 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 213 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 271 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 215 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
336 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 31 fatalities, 816 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 27 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 99 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 90 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 54 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 53 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 84 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 53 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 67 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 54 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 95 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 96 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 69 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 37 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 88 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 11 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 65 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 48 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 60 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 91 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 94 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 23 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 4.9 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 3.3 in |
Rolesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.0") and February the driest (3.0").