Climates About Concord, North Carolina

Concord has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and cool, drier winters. Its location inland in the Piedmont region causes it to experience more extreme temperatures than coastal areas.

Average Temperatures and Precipitation

On average, Concord sees high temperatures reach 89°F in July and lows bottoming out around 35°F in January. The city enjoys mild spring and fall weather, with averages hovering in the 60s and 70s. Concord picks up around 42 inches of rain per year. Late spring is the wettest period while fall tends to be drier. Occasional tropical storms also impact the region in summer and early fall.

Seasonal Variances

Each of Concord’s four seasons has distinct weather patterns:

Spring

Spring daily highs average from the mid-60s to low 70s while nightly lows range from the 40s to lower 50s. As the jet stream shifts northward later in the season, temperatures can spike into the 80s. Spring is also Concord’s second rainiest season, receiving over 30% of annual precipitation. April showers are very real!

Summer

Concord summers are hot, muggy, and wet. Highs from June-August typically top out from the mid-80s to lower 90s with higher heat index values. The combination of heat and humidity creates oppressive conditions. Summer features the year’s longest and strongest thunderstorms, frequently packing damaging wind and hail.

Fall

Fall offers a welcomed cooldown as heat subsides going into November. Daily high temperatures decrease from the mid-70s in early fall to upper 50s by late November. Overnight lows can dip to freezing by December. The driest weather of year occurs in fall, courtesy of sinking air under high pressure systems.

Winter

As arctic air masses push southward, Concord endures a cool to chilly winter. Average high temperatures only reach the upper 40s while lows routinely plummet below freezing. Precipitation falls as rain, ice and on occasion, snow. Though amounts usually stay light, the city has seen over 20 inches of snow during extreme years!

Geographic Factors Influencing Concord’s Climate

Several key geographic factors shape Concord’s humid subtropical climate profile:

Inland Location

Resting around 20 miles from Charlotte in the Piedmont plateau region, Concord lies too far inland to receive moderating effects from the nearby Atlantic Ocean. As a result, it exhibits more extreme temperatures and shorter duration heatwaves versus coastal areas.

Elevation

At 748 feet above sea level, Concord’s higher elevation exposes it to cooler conditions compared to surrounding lower terrain. Charlotte for example, located just 500 feet above sea level, observes higher average temperatures.

Nearby Water Bodies

Proximity to manmade Lake Norman northwest of the city and the Catawba River Basin to the west impart localized climate influences. Their copious moisture boosts relative humidity, rainfall intensity, and even heavy lake-effect snow downwind of Lake Norman.

Urban Heat Island

Development of concrete infrastructure causes the city itself to trap and retain more daytime heating than rural areas. This “island” of elevated temperatures interacts with pollution to occasionally degrade Concord’s air quality in summer.

Outlook for Concord’s Changing Climate Pattern

Human-induced global climate change has already begun shifting Concord’s weather in recent decades. Looking ahead, scientists expect these local trends to continue:

Rising Temperatures

Concord will observe a steady uptick in average temperatures year-round. Extreme heatwaves are likely to strike more often while overnight lows offer less relief. Intensifying urban heat island effects could push the city’s temperatures higher still.

Increased Rainfall and Flooding

Annual precipitation totals will rise, though seasonal distribution may shift. Concord can expect more intense rain events, raising flood risks, especially near rivers and streams. Heavy snowfalls could decrease due to more winter mix/rain.

More Destructive Storms

The combination of hotter temperatures and greater moisture will energize Concord’s summer storms. This could elevate threats of hail, high winds, lightning and tornadoes. Early fall tropical systems may also pack a greater punch if they impact the region.

Longer Growing Season

Finally, as freezing temperatures become delayed going into winter and occur earlier in spring, Concord’s annual frost-free period will lengthen. This expanded growing season would prove beneficial for local agriculture.

How Concord Residents Can Prepare

With Concord’s climate projected to see impactful changes ahead, residents can take proactive measures today to ready themselves:

Be Informed

• Check daily weather forecasts and sign up for weather alerts
• Learn signs of approaching severe storms like darkening skies
• Identify shelter locations in case of tornado warning

Prepare Home/Property

• Evaluate drainage paths/risks for flooding around home
• Test sump pumps regularly and install backwater valves
• Secure loose outdoor items that could blow away
• Invest in surge protectors to safeguard electronics

Adapt Behaviors

• Shift more outdoor activities to cooler morning/evenings
• Take more breaks and hydrate frequently when exerting on hot days
• Postpone driving during severe storms or flooding situations
• Keep emergency kits on hand with essential supplies

Connect with Others

• Communicate severe weather plans with family and neighbors
• Check in on elderly residents during extreme heat or cold periods
• Volunteer to help storm-proof homes in vulnerable neighborhoods

Concord’s Top 5 Weather Events

Concord’s position inland exposes it to a diverse array of impactful weather scenarios. Here are 5 of the most significant events to strike the city in recent decades:

#5: 1994 Ice Storm

Just after Christmas, a crippling ice storm left over an inch of glaze across the city. Hundreds of trees and branches came crashing down, cutting power for days to weeks.

#4: 2002 Autumn Drought

A developing La Nina winter worsened drought across the region. Concord barely observed over 2 inches of rain total from September-November.

#3: August 2004 Heat Wave

Scorching heat gripped Concord for nearly 2 weeks, sending temperatures over 100°F. Limited relief at night brought dangerous heat index levels.

#2: May 2018 Complex of Storms

A volatile mix of ingredients fueled a dangerous tornado outbreak. An EF2 twister tracked within 10 miles of downtown Concord.

#1: Flood of July 1997

A stalled frontal boundary funneled torrential rains upon the city for days. Catastrophic flooding along the Catawba River displaced families as entire neighborhoods vanished underwater.

Looking Ahead

Concord has withstood its share of turbulent weather episodes in the past. But climate change threatens to amplify the severity of storms and extremes ahead. Maintaining readiness and adopting resilient infrastructure will prove vital to keeping residents safe in the city’s changing climate future.