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Weather & Climate in Winston-Salem, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Winston-Salem enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 79°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 37.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 823 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.2°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 823 ft (251 m) |
| Area | 133.7 sq mi (346.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,877/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.1029°N, 80.2608°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Forsyth County County |
| Nearest Airport | Piedmont Triad International (GSO) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 39.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 131 km | 2 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 77 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 147 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 130 km | 13 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 136 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 140 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 138 km | 11 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 78 km | 2 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Mar 28, 2001 | 2 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.6 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 82 km | 4 km |
| Feb 4, 2021 | 1 km SSW of Sparta, North Carolina | M2.6 | 89 km | 2 km |
| Jun 17, 2023 | 2 km N of Pembroke, Virginia | M2.6 | 142 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 293 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 289 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 293 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 239 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 109 mph | 300 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 173 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 270 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 174 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 294 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
261 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 222 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 90 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2010 | EF3 | 23 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF3 | 17 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 14 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 42 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF3 | 1 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1985 | EF3 | 1 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 99 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF2 | 64 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 73 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 99 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 46 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 58 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 33 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 24 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2011 | EF2 | 42 km | 12.5 mi | 2 |
| Oct 26, 2010 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BULL MOUNTAIN (3,300 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 67 km |
| 2020 | UWH NARROWS DAM RX | 1,222 | 78 km |
| 2021 | GRINDSTONE | 1,106 | 33 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,064 | 92 km |
| 2011 | LUMBER PLANT | 779 | 72 km |
| 2000 | MERRITT CK | 750 | 76 km |
| 2019 | ROBEDO SOUTH RX | 727 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 665 | 85 km |
| 2022 | PINE ROAD | 582 | 80 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 579 | 94 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 565 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 42°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
Winston-Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 41°F in December to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and November the driest (2.9").