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Weather & Climate in Zebulon, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Zebulon 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 49.9 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 302 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.7°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 302 ft (92 m) |
| Area | 6.6 sq mi (17.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,201/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.8295°N, 78.3142°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M2.7.
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 141 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 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 | 293 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 215 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 228 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 186 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 231 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 200 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 183 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 218 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 251 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 228 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 111 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 268 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 137 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 298 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 151 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 78 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 113 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 299 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 282 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 197 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
358 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 33 fatalities, 926 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 40 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 74 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 87 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 49 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 37 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 44 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 67 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 37 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 83 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 52 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 79 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 79 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 77 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 100 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 99 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 53 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 20 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 71 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 11 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 57 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 91 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 88 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 36 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.2 in |
Zebulon has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and November the driest (3.1").