Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rolesville 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 301 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 52.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 421 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
59.9°F
11% above US avg
January Average
41°F (5°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
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
Annual Rainfall52.1"
37% above US avg
Snowfall3.2"
Wettest Month (Jul)4.65"
Driest Month (Apr)3.07"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
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
41°F (5°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
February
42°F (6°C)
3.5 in
March
50°F (10°C)
4.3 in
April
59°F (15°C)
3.1 in
Driest
May
67°F (19°C)
4.1 in
June
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
July
79°F (26°C)
4.7 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
77°F (25°C)
4.6 in
September
71°F (22°C)
4.2 in
October
60°F (15°C)
3.4 in
November
51°F (11°C)
3.2 in
December
43°F (6°C)
3.2 in
Rolesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and April the driest (3.1").