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Weather & Climate in Bell Arthur, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bell Arthur enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 310 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 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 77 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.4°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 77 ft (23 m) |
| Area | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 349/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5912°N, 77.5127°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pitt County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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 | 86 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 87 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 | 298 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 209 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 156 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 144 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 166 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 129 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 107 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 156 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 179 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 227 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 52 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 204 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 66 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 240 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 78 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 116 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 66 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 268 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 223 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 230 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
456 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 52 fatalities, 1,007 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 90 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 38 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 50 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 41 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 56 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 65 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 37 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 96 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 39 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 41 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 56 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 66 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 13 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 1 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 71 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 25 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 99 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 57 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 23 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: FISH DAY (21,772 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 88 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 90 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 82 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 81 km |
| 2000 | ROY WATSON 2 | 1,973 | 97 km |
| 2022 | FEREBEE ROAD | 1,954 | 99 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 79 km |
| 2020 | CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX | 1,616 | 96 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 93 km |
| 2020 | CRO LONG POINT C-39/40 RX | 1,448 | 92 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,399 | 43 km |
| 1991 | TRIANGLE | 1,387 | 86 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,371 | 76 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 78 km |
| 2020 | CRO LONG POINT C-39/40 RX | 1,030 | 93 km |
| 2020 | CRO RICE GROUND BRANCH - C-34/55 RX | 997 | 100 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO | 979 | 86 km |
| 1986 | MEMORIAL | 968 | 80 km |
| 2004 | PUNGO SOUTH RX | 967 | 86 km |
| 2010 | RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST | 962 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Bell Arthur has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.4") and November the driest (2.8").