Weather & Climate in Bear Grass, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Bear Grass enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°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 53.2 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 59 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	59 ft (18 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density	376/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7664°N, 77.1289°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Martin County County
Nearest Airport	Northeastern Regional (EDE) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.2"

40% above US avg

Snowfall 0.5"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.55"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.87"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	65.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	62.7 / 100
Community Resilience	57.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very 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	80 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	69 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
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	242 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	104 mph	149 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	109 mph	167 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	81 mph	157 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	115 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	81 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	159 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	162 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	262 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	12 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	205 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	31 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	98 mph	236 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	77 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	156 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	95 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	86 mph	264 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	194 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	204 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	93 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

416 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 48 fatalities, 706 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	76 km	28.0 mi	16
Sep 27, 2024	EF3	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	76 km	6.5 mi	1
Jul 19, 2023	EF3	72 km	13.5 mi	0
Aug 3, 2020	EF3	25 km	10.0 mi	2
Apr 25, 2014	EF3	29 km	21.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	39 km	17.9 mi	12
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	79 km	20.4 mi	0
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	71 km	8.2 mi	1
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	41 km	6.0 mi	6
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	94 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	77 km	14.0 mi	2
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	50 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	41 km	8.5 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	86 km	41.3 mi	2
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	57 km	46.9 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	88 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	62 km	9.5 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	99 km	15.9 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	35 km	1.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	ALLAN ROAD	110,696	79 km
2008	EVANS ROAD	41,560	71 km
1994	FISH DAY	21,772	96 km
2023	LAST RESORT	4,974	69 km
2006	BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2	3,307	79 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	90 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	89 km
2009	2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH	2,297	79 km
2000	ROY WATSON 2	1,973	79 km
2022	FEREBEE ROAD	1,954	64 km
2008	LYNCH ROAD	1,824	87 km
2002	BELL SLOP	1,818	76 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,399	63 km
1991	TRIANGLE	1,387	51 km
2006	MARSH ISLAND 2.3.3B	1,372	90 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,371	84 km
2009	2 1 1 NORTH BELL ISLAND FY 09	1,365	75 km
1985	UNNAMED	1,091	89 km
2008	SYCAMORE SHORES	1,044	69 km
1996	JUNIPERBAY	1,038	91 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	51°F (11°C)	4.0 in
April	60°F (15°C)	3.3 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.4 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.5 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.6 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	5.4 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.2 in
October	62°F (16°C)	3.2 in
November	53°F (12°C)	2.9 in	Driest
December	45°F (7°C)	3.3 in

Bear Grass has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.6") and November the driest (2.9").

View full profile of Bear Grass, NC →