Weather & Climate in Waco, NC

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

Waco enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°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 49.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 932 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.8°F
	11% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	932 ft (284 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²)
Population Density	257/sq mi
Coordinates	35.3626°N, 81.4293°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cleveland County County
Nearest Airport	Hickory Regional (HKY) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.5"

30% above US avg

Snowfall 5.6"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.84"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	70.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	44.1 / 100
Community Resilience	33.3 / 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 Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

41 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	125 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	148 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	148 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	148 km	4 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	148 km	4 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	133 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	62 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	134 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	131 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	83 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	61 km	9 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	92 km	9 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	141 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	135 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	102 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	123 km	3 km
May 10, 2022	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.8	147 km	2 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	132 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	71 km	6 km
Mar 21, 2004	16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M2.7	59 km	9 km

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

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 2	75 mph	248 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	80 km

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

Tornado History

353 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 303 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	57 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	55 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	77 km	13.0 mi	1
May 5, 1989	EF4	18 km	14.0 mi	4
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	82 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	40 km	18.5 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	80 km	12.0 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	97 km	22.7 mi	2
May 26, 2022	EF2	79 km	6.0 mi	0
May 5, 2020	EF2	93 km	14.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	80 km	6.2 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	21 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	42 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	39 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	67 km	3.0 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	76 km	3.2 mi	0
Mar 3, 2012	EF2	68 km	2.9 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	33 km	3.8 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	33 km	4.2 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	65 km	5.8 mi	3

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	70 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	75 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	68 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	35 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	75 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	41 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	81 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	67 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	74 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	70 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	91 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	96 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	94 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	86 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	87 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	93 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	96 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	80 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,024	91 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,000	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	42°F (6°C)	4.1 in
March	50°F (10°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
April	58°F (14°C)	3.4 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.3 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.2 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
September	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in
October	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.5 in
December	42°F (5°C)	3.9 in

Waco has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 41°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (3.4").

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