Weather & Climate in White Plains, NC

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

White Plains enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 299 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 50.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,237 feet.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.5°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	36°F (2°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,237 ft (377 m)
Area	4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density	218/sq mi
Coordinates	36.4438°N, 80.6490°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Surry County County
Nearest Airport	Piedmont Triad International (GSO) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.5"

33% above US avg

Snowfall 8.2"

Wettest Month (May) 4.57"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	73.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.0 / 100
Community Resilience	24.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.

Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	127 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	82 km	2 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	100 km	9 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	115 km	18 km
Dec 4, 2001	9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia	M3.1	143 km	9 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	106 km	10 km
May 16, 2009	2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia	M3.0	106 km	13 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	144 km	2 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	96 km	9 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	69 km	9 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	140 km	11 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	99 km	0 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	90 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	94 km	4 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	31 km	0 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	96 km	11 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	87 km	5 km
Aug 18, 2000	2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia	M2.7	104 km	10 km
Feb 8, 2005	15 km E of Vansant, Virginia	M2.7	143 km	9 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	45 km	2 km

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

Hurricane History

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

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	265 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	224 km
1989	Hugo	Category 1	—	198 km

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

Tornado History

187 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 200 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	92 km	4.0 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF3	82 km	8.1 mi	0
Mar 28, 2010	EF3	74 km	4.3 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF3	57 km	2.9 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	53 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	60 km	12.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF3	52 km	10.5 mi	0
May 22, 1985	EF3	51 km	3.5 mi	0
May 26, 2022	EF2	61 km	6.0 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	28 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF2	91 km	32.8 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	27 km	16.1 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	73 km	3.2 mi	0
May 24, 2017	EF2	47 km	5.9 mi	0
Nov 16, 2011	EF2	88 km	12.5 mi	2
Apr 8, 2011	EF2	69 km	1.9 mi	0
Oct 26, 2010	EF2	94 km	2.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 2010	EF2	86 km	5.0 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	37 km	4.9 mi	0
May 8, 2008	EF2	56 km	3.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BULL MOUNTAIN (3,300 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	BULL MOUNTAIN	3,300	50 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	59 km
2010	HUFF HOLLOW	1,566	95 km
2016	HORTON	1,480	89 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,460	95 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,388	70 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,171	73 km
2017	UNNAMED	1,154	92 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,124	58 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,120	76 km
2018	UNNAMED	1,107	73 km
2021	GRINDSTONE	1,106	19 km
1985	UNNAMED	1,064	60 km
2011	LUMBER PLANT	779	22 km
2000	MERRITT CK	750	25 km
2006	CHESTNUT	737	69 km
2019	UNNAMED	644	70 km
2010	FS CABIN/PLUMBER	541	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	36°F (2°C)	3.5 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	3.5 in
March	47°F (9°C)	4.3 in
April	56°F (13°C)	3.8 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.6 in	Wettest
June	72°F (22°C)	4.1 in
July	75°F (24°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.0 in
September	68°F (20°C)	4.2 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.7 in
November	47°F (9°C)	3.4 in	Driest
December	39°F (4°C)	3.4 in

White Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and November the driest (3.4").

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