A Look Back: Rowan County’s Warmest and Coldest April Days

By Steve Monday | Rowan County Weather

April in Rowan County is known for its weather mood swings—one day you're in a sweatshirt, and the next it's shorts and sunglasses. But just how extreme can it get?

Let’s take a look back at some of the warmest and coldest April days on record in our area and see how this year stacks up so far.

April’s Weather History in Rowan County

Using archived data from nearby official weather stations, we can trace Rowan County’s weather highs and lows over the years.

Warmest April Temperature on Record:
95°F – April 26, 1986
A strong ridge of high pressure parked over the Southeast led to widespread unseasonal heat that week. Several locations across North Carolina broke long-standing records.

Coldest April Temperature on Record:
23°F – April 7, 1982
Just a few days after Easter, a late-season arctic front plunged temperatures well below freezing across the Carolinas. Many farmers remember this one—it caused widespread frost damage to early crops.

What About April 2025 So Far?

Warmest Day So Far: Today, April 14, will likely go down as the warmest day of the month to this point, with highs expected near 83°F.
Coldest Morning: 31°F on April 4

While we haven’t broken any records this year, April has shown off its usual variability—ranging over 50 degrees from early morning frost to warm, breezy afternoons in just over a week.

Why April Is So Volatile

April sits at the seasonal crossroads—winter’s last gasps occasionally collide with warm Gulf air, and that mix brings everything from frost to severe storms. It’s also when the jet stream begins its northward retreat, allowing stronger temperature swings.

What to Expect the Rest of This Month

• More mild-to-warm days ahead

• A few chilly mornings still possible, especially mid-month

• High pollen levels through late April

• An increased chance of spring thunderstorms as we near May

Bottom Line:
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s normal to go from a frost advisory to a sunburn warning in the same week—yes, in Rowan County, that’s just spring.