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Weather & Climate in Cape Colony, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cape Colony 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 299 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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 12 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 | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 12 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 465/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.0196°N, 76.5828°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Chowan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeastern Regional (EDE) 1 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 34.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 47.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very 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 | 104 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 81 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 | 293 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 127 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 209 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 156 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 96 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 53 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 264 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 163 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 148 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 45 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 185 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 41 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 239 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 66 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 212 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 146 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 270 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 159 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 163 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 53 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
350 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 28 fatalities, 430 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 31 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 75 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 34 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 77 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 57 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 40 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 59 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 1952 | EF3 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 79 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 86 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 12 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 15 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 51 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 85 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 28 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 56 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 29 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | ALLAN ROAD | 110,696 | 46 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 42 km |
| 2011 | PAINS BAY | 40,218 | 79 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 75 km |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 62 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 62 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 37 km |
| 2009 | 2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES | 4,953 | 77 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 70 km |
| 2017 | NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2 | 3,303 | 77 km |
| 2003 | ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A | 3,156 | 78 km |
| 2006 | ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5 | 3,139 | 78 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 63 km |
| 1999 | LSR 2 5 6 | 2,629 | 85 km |
| 2009 | SW MASHOES | 2,499 | 68 km |
| 2005 | LONG SHOAL RIVER 2.5.2-5 | 2,333 | 84 km |
| 2003 | FIRST FIRE-CODE 1 | 2,319 | 79 km |
| 2009 | 2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH | 2,297 | 71 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 61 km |
| 2000 | QUAD 2 1 2 | 2,068 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 5.4 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in |
Cape Colony has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.6") and November the driest (2.8").