Weather & Climate in Bowdens, NC

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

Bowdens enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°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 52.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 141 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	141 ft (43 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density	65/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0619°N, 78.1084°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wayne County County
Nearest Airport	Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.0"

37% above US avg

Snowfall 2.0"

Wettest Month (Jul) 6.50"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.95"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.0 / 100
Community Resilience	37.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
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 High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	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	120 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	137 km	4 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	220 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	134 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	109 mph	154 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	109 mph	100 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	92 mph	149 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	138 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	143 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	136 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	183 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	267 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	150 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	130 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	196 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	78 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	220 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	83 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	52 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	47 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	267 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	273 km

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

Tornado History

504 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 62 fatalities, 1,300 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	42 km	28.0 mi	16
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	13 km	21.0 mi	3
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	67 km	6.5 mi	1
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	41 km	20.4 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	76 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	94 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	78 km	8.2 mi	1
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	81 km	2.2 mi	8
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	69 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	74 km	40.0 mi	12
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	24 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	69 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	79 km	8.5 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	74 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	38 km	25.8 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	81 km	41.3 mi	2
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	78 km	46.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	26 km	8.0 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	79 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	42 km	4.7 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	74 km
2011	JUNIPER ROAD	31,511	72 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	46 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,970	66 km
1992	GREAT LAKE	2,843	96 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	99 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	46 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	99 km
2020	TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD	2,076	77 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,024	89 km
2020	CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX	1,616	98 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,602	91 km
2014	SHAKEN CREEK	1,469	67 km
2020	CRO LONG POINT C-39/40 RX	1,448	91 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	82 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,399	72 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,371	96 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	32 km
2011	SR8	1,311	74 km
2011	WOLF ISLAND	1,310	78 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	53°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.3 in
May	69°F (20°C)	4.3 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.6 in
July	78°F (26°C)	6.5 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (25°C)	5.7 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.4 in
October	62°F (17°C)	3.0 in	Driest
November	54°F (12°C)	3.0 in
December	45°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Bowdens has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 41°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.5") and October the driest (3.0").

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