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Weather & Climate in Saxapahaw, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Saxapahaw enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°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 47.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 488 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.6°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 488 ft (149 m) |
| Area | 5.5 sq mi (14.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 289/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9608°N, 79.3162°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Chatham County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 46.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
6 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 | 140 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 134 km | 8 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 50 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 140 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 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 | 296 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 241 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 234 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 271 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 282 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 272 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 283 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 247 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 167 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 225 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 227 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 101 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 189 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 214 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 288 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 237 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
284 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 551 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 52 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 69 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 69 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 77 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 79 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 18 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 85 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 87 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 87 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 80 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 13 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 41 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 85 km | 12.5 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 94 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 61 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OVERHILLS (1,436 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 87 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 91 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,090 | 91 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 79 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 748 | 98 km |
| 2019 | ROBEDO SOUTH RX | 727 | 92 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 665 | 97 km |
| 2022 | PINE ROAD | 582 | 94 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 579 | 93 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 565 | 94 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 (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 42°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Saxapahaw has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and April the driest (3.1").