Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Belhaven 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 52.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
61.6°F
14% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
3 ft (1 m)
Area
2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density
894/sq mi
Coordinates
35.5430°N, 76.6231°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Beaufort County County
Nearest Airport
Northeastern Regional (EDE) 34 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall52.3"
38% above US avg
Snowfall1.2"
Wettest Month (Jul)6.14"
Driest Month (Nov)3.15"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
88.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
78.1 / 100
Community Resilience
55.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
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
51 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
27 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
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
251 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
97 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
109 mph
158 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
110 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
63 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
30 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
104 mph
249 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
119 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
112 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
271 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
45 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
154 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
24 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
191 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
55 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
178 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
107 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
222 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
143 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
156 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
409 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 27 fatalities, 323 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
45 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
45 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
67 km
17.9 mi
12
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
92 km
14.0 mi
2
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
84 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
84 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
81 km
8.5 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
81 km
41.3 mi
2
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
97 km
9.5 mi
0
Nov 24, 2018
EF2
100 km
2.8 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
58 km
1.1 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
58 km
33.5 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
58 km
37.5 mi
1
Apr 7, 2014
EF2
5 km
4.7 mi
0
Nov 26, 2013
EF2
95 km
0.4 mi
0
Aug 26, 2011
EF2
55 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
76 km
17.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
75 km
4.1 mi
0
May 11, 2008
EF2
94 km
5.0 mi
0
May 11, 2008
EF2
84 km
15.0 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
37 km
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
30 km
2011
PAINS BAY
40,218
74 km
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
79 km
2016
WHIPPING CREEK ROAD
12,512
65 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
94 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
32 km
2009
2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES
4,953
85 km
2005
WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1
4,867
70 km
2015
NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH
4,751
70 km
1986
UNNAMED
4,031
72 km
2007
TRAINING FIRE
3,843
68 km
2007
3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07
3,556
72 km
2024
HIGHWAY 12
3,502
73 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
27 km
2017
NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2
3,303
84 km
2003
ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A
3,156
86 km
2006
ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5
3,139
85 km
2022
NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
3,113
70 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
4.2 in
Coldest
February
45°F (7°C)
3.5 in
March
52°F (11°C)
4.0 in
April
60°F (16°C)
3.3 in
May
68°F (20°C)
4.5 in
June
75°F (24°C)
4.9 in
July
80°F (27°C)
6.1 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (25°C)
5.9 in
September
73°F (23°C)
4.6 in
October
63°F (17°C)
3.4 in
November
55°F (13°C)
3.2 in
Driest
December
46°F (8°C)
3.3 in
Belhaven has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and November the driest (3.2").