All Countries
Weather & Climate in Chowan Beach, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chowan Beach 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 28 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 | 28 ft (9 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,544/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2139°N, 76.7124°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Chowan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Northeastern Regional (EDE) 15 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
3 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 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 102 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 151 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 225 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 180 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 118 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 65 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 282 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 188 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 170 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 53 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 58 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 209 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 263 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 109 mph | 86 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 212 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 157 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 294 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 177 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 182 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 68 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 135 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
379 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 31 fatalities, 478 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 40 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 87 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 26 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 55 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 45 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 17 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 39 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 54 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 73 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 18 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 17 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 72 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 61 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 92 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 6 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 44 km | 15.0 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 | 71 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 66 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 98 km |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 45 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 44 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 61 km |
| 2009 | 2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES | 4,953 | 95 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 94 km |
| 2017 | NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2 | 3,303 | 96 km |
| 2003 | ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A | 3,156 | 97 km |
| 2006 | ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5 | 3,139 | 97 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 66 km |
| 2009 | SW MASHOES | 2,499 | 84 km |
| 2003 | FIRST FIRE-CODE 1 | 2,319 | 100 km |
| 2009 | 2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH | 2,297 | 95 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 49 km |
| 2000 | QUAD 2 1 2 | 2,068 | 90 km |
| 2022 | FEREBEE ROAD | 1,954 | 65 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,877 | 97 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 76 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) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 53°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Chowan Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.4") and November the driest (2.8").