Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Caswell Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 304 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 54.6 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 -10 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
65.0°F
20% above US avg
January Average
48°F (9°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
304 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
-10 ft (-3 m)
Area
4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²)
Population Density
164/sq mi
Coordinates
33.9059°N, 78.0487°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Horry County County
Nearest Airport
Wilmington International (ILM) 27 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.6"
44% above US avg
Wettest Month (Sep)7.68"
Driest Month (Apr)2.99"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
98.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
65.4 / 100
Community Resilience
66.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
26 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2022
Ian
Category 1
86 mph
126 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
42 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
58 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
109 mph
17 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
27 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
58 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
126 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
47 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
112 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
176 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
61 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
201 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
82 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
13 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
118 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
34 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
5 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
34 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
204 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
270 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
235 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 309 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 15, 2021
EF3
43 km
21.9 mi
3
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
51 km
2.2 mi
8
Aug 17, 1965
EF3
58 km
0.3 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
59 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
87 km
4.7 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF2
11 km
8.3 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
40 km
9.3 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
98 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 6, 2009
EF2
78 km
1.4 mi
0
Mar 28, 2009
EF2
91 km
1.6 mi
0
Aug 13, 2004
EF2
57 km
5.0 mi
3
Jul 6, 2001
EF2
80 km
4.0 mi
0
Nov 7, 1995
EF2
73 km
0.7 mi
0
Nov 7, 1995
EF2
93 km
5.0 mi
0
Jul 1, 1990
EF2
78 km
0.2 mi
0
Jun 2, 1985
EF2
91 km
5.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF2
87 km
16.0 mi
0
Jun 7, 1983
EF2
90 km
6.0 mi
0
Sep 26, 1982
EF2
77 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 4, 1979
EF2
58 km
1.0 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
73 km
2011
JUNIPER ROAD
31,511
76 km
2009
HIGHWAY 31
17,004
75 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
89 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,970
80 km
2001
UNNAMED
2,204
67 km
2020
TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD
2,076
70 km
1993
UNNAMED
2,073
9 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,024
49 km
2002
LEGENDS
1,666
89 km
2014
SHAKEN CREEK
1,469
85 km
2016
CLEMMONS ROAD
1,468
16 km
2011
SR8
1,311
87 km
2011
WOLF ISLAND
1,310
66 km
2022
JUNIPER ROAD TWO
1,307
79 km
1993
UNNAMED
1,293
77 km
2008
EDNA BUCK ROAD
1,256
54 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,077
77 km
2010
BURNCOMP48
1,061
99 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,005
67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
48°F (9°C)
4.6 in
Coldest
February
48°F (9°C)
4.0 in
March
55°F (13°C)
4.3 in
April
62°F (17°C)
3.0 in
Driest
May
70°F (21°C)
4.1 in
June
76°F (25°C)
5.2 in
July
82°F (28°C)
6.7 in
Warmest
August
79°F (26°C)
7.3 in
September
75°F (24°C)
7.7 in
Wettest
October
65°F (18°C)
3.6 in
November
57°F (14°C)
3.3 in
December
49°F (9°C)
3.9 in
Caswell Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 48°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (7.7") and April the driest (3.0").