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Weather & Climate in Bethel, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethel enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°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 53.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 69 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.1°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 69 ft (21 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,455/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.8072°N, 77.3763°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Martin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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 | 95 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 88 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 | 236 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 166 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 168 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 175 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 137 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 103 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 172 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 182 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 254 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 34 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 220 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 53 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 253 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 90 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 138 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 92 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 280 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 217 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 226 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 116 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
423 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 49 fatalities, 722 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 64 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 42 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 56 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 50 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 45 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 40 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 49 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 65 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 50 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 87 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 83 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 39 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 40 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 28 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 91 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 36 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 65 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 49 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 99 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 96 km | 17.2 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 | 93 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 92 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 99 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 98 km |
| 2000 | ROY WATSON 2 | 1,973 | 99 km |
| 2022 | FEREBEE ROAD | 1,954 | 87 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 67 km |
| 2002 | BELL SLOP | 1,818 | 98 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,399 | 64 km |
| 1991 | TRIANGLE | 1,387 | 74 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,371 | 93 km |
| 2009 | 2 1 1 NORTH BELL ISLAND FY 09 | 1,365 | 98 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 56 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO | 979 | 75 km |
| 1986 | MEMORIAL | 968 | 98 km |
| 2004 | PUNGO SOUTH RX | 967 | 75 km |
| 2010 | RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST | 962 | 76 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 945 | 75 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP03 | 843 | 92 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX CENTRAL PUNGO | 783 | 75 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 | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Bethel has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.4") and November the driest (2.8").