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Weather & Climate in Sanford, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sanford enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°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 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 404 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.7°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 404 ft (123 m) |
| Area | 33.2 sq mi (85.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 929/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4967°N, 79.1719°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 31.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| 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 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 96 km | 8 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 80 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 101 km | 14 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 | 244 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 188 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 257 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 181 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 219 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 239 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 247 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 234 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 291 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 194 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 280 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 188 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 284 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 181 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 181 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 54 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 153 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 197 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 259 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 185 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
301 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 42 fatalities, 1,002 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 56 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 97 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 91 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 22 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 54 km | 52.9 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 45 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 65 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 79 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 52 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 86 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 81 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 76 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 47 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 81 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 97 km | 12.5 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
| May 5, 2009 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,968 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 95 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 93 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 97 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 92 km |
| 2021 | SLATES CHURCH FIRE | 1,824 | 64 km |
| 2016 | COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE | 1,704 | 62 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 34 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 99 km |
| 2010 | CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE | 1,252 | 66 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 82 km |
| 2018 | STRAUSBURG ROAD | 1,219 | 64 km |
| 2017 | GARDNER FARM LANE | 1,112 | 65 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,090 | 49 km |
| 2011 | VALENTINE | 1,083 | 78 km |
| 2024 | HORSESHOE LAKE | 990 | 87 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 889 | 93 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR CREEK | 872 | 81 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 871 | 77 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 96 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 748 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Sanford has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and April the driest (3.0").