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Weather & Climate in Salisbury, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salisbury 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 719 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 | 719 ft (219 m) |
| Area | 23.1 sq mi (59.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,547/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6655°N, 80.4889°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rowan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
18 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 | 133 km | 7 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 30 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 146 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 111 km | 8 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 119 km | 9 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 87 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 109 km | 6 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 121 km | 4 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Jun 12, 2014 | 4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.5 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 63 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 113 km | 14 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 5 km SSE of West Marion, North Carolina | M2.5 | 137 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 288 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 267 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 266 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 277 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 264 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 276 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 293 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 290 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 170 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 272 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 121 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 272 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
332 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 268 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 84 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 79 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 50 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 36 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 41 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 94 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 78 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 78 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 53 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 52 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 52 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 67 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 20 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 100 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 78 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 41 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 30 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,610 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 99 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 75 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 47 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 75 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,064 | 96 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 889 | 78 km |
| 1992 | COMP 6 B | 737 | 76 km |
| 2019 | ROBEDO SOUTH RX | 727 | 61 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 665 | 51 km |
| 2024 | COYOTE | 663 | 90 km |
| 2022 | PINE ROAD | 582 | 46 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 579 | 64 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 565 | 64 km |
| 2004 | PARTNER | 544 | 99 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 536 | 75 km |
| 2024 | 0101/02_0202 PER RX | 511 | 75 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 |
Salisbury 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").