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Weather & Climate in Bolton, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bolton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 57 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.7°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 57 ft (17 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 147/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3174°N, 78.4014°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Columbus County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 88.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively 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: M2.9.
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 143 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
25 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 | 135 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 47 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 112 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 35 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 71 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 107 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 158 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 95 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 160 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 184 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 64 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 203 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 138 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 68 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 173 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 64 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 36 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 55 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 248 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 294 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
390 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 fatalities, 826 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 90 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 83 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 46 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 15 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 71 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 97 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 71 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 87 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 64 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 25 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 47 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 66 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 50 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 63 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 43 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 22 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 35 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,768 acres, 1986).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 77,768 | 68 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 70 km |
| 2009 | HIGHWAY 31 | 17,004 | 70 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 63 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 69 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 56 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 64 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 67 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 47 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 54 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 65 km |
| 2002 | LEGENDS | 1,666 | 85 km |
| 2014 | SHAKEN CREEK | 1,469 | 76 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 41 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 63 km |
| 2011 | SR8 | 1,311 | 83 km |
| 2011 | WOLF ISLAND | 1,310 | 63 km |
| 2022 | JUNIPER ROAD TWO | 1,307 | 73 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,293 | 67 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP43 | 1,259 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.2 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in |
Bolton has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.7") and October the driest (2.9").