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Weather & Climate in Cape Carteret, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cape Carteret enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 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 60.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 16 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 60.4°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,031/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.6943°N, 77.0602°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Onslow County County |
| Nearest Airport | Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 52 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 78 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 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 | 251 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 159 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 68 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 115 mph | 56 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 61 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 35 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 42 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 252 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 53 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 82 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 181 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 75 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 98 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 54 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 132 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 22 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 105 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 60 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 167 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 172 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
371 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 604 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 96 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 91 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 29 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 95 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 98 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 37 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 94 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 4 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2018 | EF2 | 13 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 2013 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 29 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 26 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 2008 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2004 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF2 | 13 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF2 | 76 km | 10.0 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 | 63 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 60 km |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 24 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 76 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,807 | 10 km |
| 2005 | WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1 | 4,867 | 70 km |
| 2015 | NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH | 4,751 | 71 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 4,031 | 65 km |
| 2007 | TRAINING FIRE | 3,843 | 60 km |
| 2007 | 3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07 | 3,556 | 74 km |
| 2024 | HIGHWAY 12 | 3,502 | 65 km |
| 2022 | NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 3,113 | 71 km |
| 2009 | CAROLINA BAY | 3,056 | 13 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,042 | 62 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 61 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 18 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 30 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 31 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,420 | 58 km |
| 2002 | BT-11 | 2,193 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 6.9 in | Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.8 in | Warmest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in |
Cape Carteret has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 43°F in January to 78°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 55.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.9") and April the driest (3.1").