Weather & Climate in Tar Heel, NC

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

Tar Heel 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 301 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 53.3 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 130 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	62.1°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	130 ft (40 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	313/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7339°N, 78.7909°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Bladen County County
Nearest Airport	Lumberton Regional (LBT) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.3"

40% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.91"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	78.8 / 100
Community Resilience	30.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

2 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	96 km	8 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	98 km	14 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	164 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	97 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	170 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	89 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	127 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	159 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	200 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	151 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	215 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	207 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	104 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	201 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	196 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	112 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	231 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	107 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	53 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	103 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	299 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	195 km

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

Tornado History

391 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 63 fatalities, 1,693 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	84 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	88 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	75 km	40.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	61 km	21.0 mi	3
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	38 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	95 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	44 km	52.9 mi	2
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	82 km	65.2 mi	6
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	67 km	2.2 mi	8
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	83 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	13 km	40.0 mi	12
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	96 km	9.0 mi	0
May 20, 1980	EF3	80 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	40 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	36 km	25.8 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	98 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	59 km	21.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	66 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	65 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	59 km	4.7 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,944 acres, 1994).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	82 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,968	88 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	88 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	27 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	32 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	68 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	73 km
2016	CLEMMONS ROAD	1,468	100 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	58 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	41 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,293	99 km
2008	EDNA BUCK ROAD	1,256	97 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	70 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	68 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	70 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	82 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	16 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	16 km
2006	COW ISLAND	878	87 km
2022	CEDAR CREEK	872	17 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	3.6 in
March	53°F (12°C)	4.3 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.0 in
May	68°F (20°C)	3.9 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.5 in
July	81°F (27°C)	5.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (26°C)	5.2 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.1 in
October	62°F (17°C)	2.9 in
November	54°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	46°F (8°C)	3.2 in

Tar Heel has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (2.8").

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