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Weather & Climate in Spencer, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Spencer 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 704 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 | 704 ft (215 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 972/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.6990°N, 80.4264°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rowan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Carolina Regional (SRW) 6 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
16 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 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 123 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 111 km | 8 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 149 km | 9 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 146 km | 11 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 114 km | 6 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 118 km | 4 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Oct 29, 2012 | 5 km SSE of West Marion, North Carolina | M2.5 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Jun 12, 2014 | 4 km NE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.5 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 56 km | 4 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 114 km | 14 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 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 289 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 266 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 264 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 277 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 264 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 269 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 290 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 287 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 166 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 268 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 127 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 271 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
322 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 266 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 88 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 85 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 43 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 32 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 36 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 88 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 84 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 83 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 47 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 47 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 54 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 55 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 68 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 26 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 71 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 63 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 34 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 40 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (1,989 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 76 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 45 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 71 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,064 | 98 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 889 | 79 km |
| 1992 | COMP 6 B | 737 | 77 km |
| 2019 | ROBEDO SOUTH RX | 727 | 60 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 665 | 50 km |
| 2024 | COYOTE | 663 | 97 km |
| 2022 | PINE ROAD | 582 | 45 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 579 | 62 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 565 | 62 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 536 | 76 km |
| 2024 | 0101/02_0202 PER RX | 511 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 3.4 in |
Spencer has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.2") and November the driest (3.1").