Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ayden enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°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 57.2 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 61 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
61 ft (19 m)
Area
3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²)
Population Density
1,322/sq mi
Coordinates
35.4694°N, 77.4166°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Pitt County County
Nearest Airport
Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall57.2"
50% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)5.79"
Driest Month (Nov)2.87"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
89.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
42.2 / 100
Community Resilience
77.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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: M3.6.
Aug 6, 1994
4 km SSW of Bayboro, North Carolina
M3.6
70 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
74 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 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
292 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
201 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
140 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
109 mph
130 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
150 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
113 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
93 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
140 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
165 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
220 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
53 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
188 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
61 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
224 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
62 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
120 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
55 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
252 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
212 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
216 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
474 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 51 fatalities, 981 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
36 km
28.0 mi
16
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
89 km
21.0 mi
3
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
66 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
54 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
72 km
13.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
67 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
27 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
40 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
82 km
3.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
81 km
17.9 mi
12
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
55 km
8.2 mi
1
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
53 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
76 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
12 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
16 km
8.5 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
55 km
41.3 mi
2
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
40 km
46.9 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
93 km
8.0 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
70 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
25 km
9.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: EVANS ROAD (41,560 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
99 km
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
72 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
96 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
90 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
100 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
95 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
90 km
1992
GREAT LAKE
2,843
75 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
66 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
65 km
1989
UNNAMED
2,420
99 km
2009
2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH
2,297
94 km
2006
UNNAMED
2,027
88 km
2013
WOODPECKER FIRE
2,015
89 km
2000
ROY WATSON 2
1,973
84 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
92 km
2010
BURNCOMP27
1,894
90 km
2020
CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX
1,878
89 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
95 km
2002
BELL SLOP
1,818
93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
4.3 in
February
45°F (7°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
March
52°F (11°C)
4.1 in
April
60°F (16°C)
3.4 in
May
68°F (20°C)
4.2 in
June
76°F (24°C)
4.7 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.7 in
Warmest
August
78°F (25°C)
5.8 in
Wettest
September
73°F (23°C)
4.7 in
October
62°F (17°C)
3.3 in
November
54°F (12°C)
2.9 in
Driest
December
45°F (7°C)
3.4 in
Ayden has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in February to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.8") and November the driest (2.9").