Weather & Climate in Rowland, NC

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

Rowland enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°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 42.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 146 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	63.5°F
	18% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	146 ft (45 m)
Area	1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density	926/sq mi
Coordinates	34.5361°N, 79.2929°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Dillon County County
Nearest Airport	Lumberton Regional (LBT) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 42.6"

12% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.67"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	87.6 / 100
Community Resilience	25.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating

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	120 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	138 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	138 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	138 km	4 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	139 km	4 km
Jan 29, 1994	12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina	M2.9	110 km	2 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	59 km	8 km
May 10, 2022	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.8	138 km	2 km
Mar 9, 2024	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.7	138 km	3 km
Jan 5, 2022	5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina	M2.6	137 km	0 km
Apr 26, 2025	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.6	138 km	2 km
May 10, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.6	137 km	2 km
Jan 3, 2022	5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina	M2.5	135 km	2 km
Sep 15, 2024	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.5	138 km	2 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	59 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

22 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	138 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	102 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	180 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	101 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	118 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	180 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	243 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	179 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	244 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	98 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	173 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	251 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	214 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	144 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	249 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	147 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	92 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	139 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	148 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	247 km

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

Tornado History

374 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,443 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	44 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	44 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	58 km	7.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	30 km	40.0 mi	4
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	18 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	100 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	89 km	65.2 mi	6
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	55 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	99 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	51 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	30 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	69 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	78 km	77.3 mi	0
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	86 km	25.8 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	68 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 17, 1965	EF3	97 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	32 km	21.9 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	76 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	74 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	67 km	29.9 mi	3

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HIGHWAY 31 (17,004 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	HIGHWAY 31	17,004	91 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,968	50 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,094	91 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	52 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	78 km
2008	05/05 RX BURN	2,351	88 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,204	92 km
2007	06-09 RX BURN	2,054	87 km
2022	SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE	2,039	91 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	93 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	22 km
1998	981406	1,892	84 km
1994	CM 15 16 17	1,871	81 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	51 km
1994	COMP 1112	1,798	92 km
1998	980803	1,780	83 km
2000	2000 1003	1,768	89 km
1999	19990505	1,756	87 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	57 km
1992	COMP 15	1,697	83 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	46°F (8°C)	3.6 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.4 in
April	62°F (16°C)	2.9 in
May	69°F (21°C)	3.7 in
June	76°F (25°C)	4.7 in
July	82°F (28°C)	5.7 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (26°C)	5.1 in
September	73°F (23°C)	3.9 in
October	63°F (17°C)	3.1 in
November	54°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	46°F (8°C)	3.2 in

Rowland has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.7") and November the driest (2.8").

View full profile of Rowland, NC →