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Weather & Climate in Smithfield, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Smithfield enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°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 49.4 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 124 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.6°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 124 ft (38 m) |
| Area | 12.1 sq mi (31.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 929/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5238°N, 78.3522°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Johnston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 6, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Bayboro, North Carolina | M3.6 | 150 km | 0 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 145 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 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 | 259 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 181 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 207 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 156 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 203 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 182 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 175 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 190 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 231 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 194 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 126 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 246 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 133 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 273 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 133 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 48 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 90 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 297 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 296 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 266 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
394 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 57 fatalities, 1,405 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 53 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 54 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 56 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 38 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 68 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 91 km | 52.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 90 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 47 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 30 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 90 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 55 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 73 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 71 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 65 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 58 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 81 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,642 acres, 1986).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 81 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 88 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 67 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,399 | 97 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 71 km |
| 2011 | VALENTINE | 1,083 | 81 km |
| 2024 | HORSESHOE LAKE | 990 | 83 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR CREEK | 872 | 80 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 835 | 94 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 69 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 640 | 83 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 575 | 94 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 535 | 79 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.2 in |
Smithfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and November the driest (3.0").