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Weather & Climate in Atkinson, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Atkinson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 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 55.9 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 62 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.6°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 492/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5275°N, 78.1697°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Bladen County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Aug 6, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Bayboro, North Carolina | M3.6 | 142 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
25 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 | 166 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 76 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 116 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 50 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 92 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 99 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 143 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 93 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 156 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 215 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 95 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 174 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 144 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 52 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 178 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 45 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 9 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 42 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 238 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 272 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
412 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 57 fatalities, 1,130 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 96 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 59 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 96 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 75 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 98 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 22 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 79 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 72 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 56 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 35 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 56 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 17 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 78 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 78 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 57 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 57 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,768 acres, 1986).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 77,768 | 44 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 45 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 32 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 42 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 44 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 95 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 45 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 64 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 41 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 81 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 98 km |
| 2014 | SHAKEN CREEK | 1,469 | 49 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 59 km |
| 2020 | CRO LONG POINT C-39/40 RX | 1,448 | 98 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 44 km |
| 2011 | SR8 | 1,311 | 57 km |
| 2011 | WOLF ISLAND | 1,310 | 42 km |
| 2022 | JUNIPER ROAD TWO | 1,307 | 47 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,293 | 40 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP43 | 1,259 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 7.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.0 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 3.4 in |
Atkinson has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.2") and October the driest (2.7").