Weather & Climate in Whispering Pines, NC

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

Whispering Pines enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°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 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 395 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	60.7°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	42°F (5°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	395 ft (120 m)
Area	4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density	1,341/sq mi
Coordinates	35.2482°N, 79.3719°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Moore County County
Nearest Airport	Fayetteville Regional/Grannis Field (FAY) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.8"

26% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.16"

Driest Month (Apr) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	75.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	40.0 / 100
Community Resilience	52.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
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

6 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	142 km	7 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	133 km	9 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	63 km	8 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	97 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2019	8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina	M2.5	88 km	4 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	68 km	14 km

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

Hurricane History

20 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	217 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	170 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	109 mph	246 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	165 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	197 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	235 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	260 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	228 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	292 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	172 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	251 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	221 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	274 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	182 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	179 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	61 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	164 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	169 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	269 km
1984	Diana	Category 4	132 mph	170 km

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

Tornado History

317 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,395 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988	EF4	89 km	83.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	90 km	7.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	75 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	72 km	40.0 mi	4
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	65 km	0.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	11 km	65.2 mi	6
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	34 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	67 km	160.0 mi	0
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	94 km	5.5 mi	2
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	65 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	99 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	45 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	86 km	25.8 mi	0
Oct 7, 1965	EF3	61 km	1.0 mi	1
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	50 km	21.9 mi	0
Mar 31, 2022	EF2	80 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	69 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	76 km	10.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	96 km	32.8 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	93 km	12.5 mi	2

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	62 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	60 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	92 km
2000	UNNAMED	1,989	65 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	84 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	32 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	29 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	35 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	98 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	33 km
2020	UWH NARROWS DAM RX	1,222	66 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	31 km
2017	GARDNER FARM LANE	1,112	33 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,090	17 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	69 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	80 km
2002	UNNAMED	889	64 km
2022	CEDAR CREEK	872	74 km
2009	UNNAMED	871	44 km
1997	UNNAMED	823	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (5°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	3.8 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	60°F (16°C)	3.0 in	Driest
May	68°F (20°C)	4.0 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.4 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.2 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.8 in
September	72°F (22°C)	3.6 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.3 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.1 in
December	44°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Whispering Pines has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.0").

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