Weather & Climate in Spring Lake, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Spring Lake enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°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 47.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 171 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.9°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	171 ft (52 m)
Area	23.3 sq mi (60.2 km²)
Population Density	492/sq mi
Coordinates	35.1846°N, 78.9947°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cumberland County County
Nearest Airport	Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.9"

26% above US avg

Snowfall 1.2"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.16"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	23.2 / 100
Community Resilience	25.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively 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 Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.

Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	86 km	8 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	121 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	115 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	90 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

21 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	210 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	150 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	109 mph	221 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	143 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	92 mph	180 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	204 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	225 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	198 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	261 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	156 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	249 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	193 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	247 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	148 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	281 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	147 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	27 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	129 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	199 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	234 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

356 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 56 fatalities, 1,652 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988	EF4	79 km	83.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	69 km	21.0 mi	3
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	83 km	40.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	91 km	17.0 mi	7
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	59 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	23 km	52.9 mi	2
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	34 km	65.2 mi	6
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	43 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	41 km	40.0 mi	12
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	100 km	9.0 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	14 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	52 km	25.8 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	92 km	1.0 mi	1
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	58 km	21.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	92 km	8.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	95 km	4.7 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	96 km	0.2 mi	0
May 13, 2019	EF2	87 km	17.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	84 km	10.1 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	74 km	13.1 mi	1

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	82 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	81 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	61 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	97 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	72 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	50 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	51 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	5 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	65 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	52 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	49 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	51 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	49 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	40 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	50 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	96 km
2022	CEDAR CREEK	872	44 km
2009	UNNAMED	871	62 km
1993	UNNAMED	835	85 km
2008	TUSSOCK BAY	800	88 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.1 in
May	68°F (20°C)	3.7 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
July	81°F (27°C)	5.2 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (25°C)	4.9 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.0 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.1 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.0 in	Driest
December	44°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Spring Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and November the driest (3.0").

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