Weather & Climate in Columbia, NC

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

Columbia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°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 55.3 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 3 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	60.8°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3 ft (1 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density	548/sq mi
Coordinates	35.9234°N, 76.2405°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Tyrrell County County
Nearest Airport	Northeastern Regional (EDE) 20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 55.3"

46% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 6.10"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	46.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	94.9 / 100
Community Resilience	44.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very 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	104 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

22 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	99 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	209 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	81 mph	138 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	68 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	29 km
2010	Earl	Category 2	98 mph	231 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	142 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	117 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	70 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	56 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	157 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	98 mph	220 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	34 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	231 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	160 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	252 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	126 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	130 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	23 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	104 mph	82 km

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

Tornado History

288 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 28 fatalities, 403 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 3, 2020	EF3	59 km	10.0 mi	2
Apr 25, 2014	EF3	92 km	21.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	66 km	17.9 mi	12
Apr 28, 2008	EF3	96 km	24.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	89 km	6.0 mi	6
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	65 km	14.0 mi	2
Jul 4, 1967	EF3	76 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 17, 1952	EF3	58 km	1.0 mi	0
Mar 31, 2017	EF2	91 km	8.9 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	47 km	37.5 mi	1
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	45 km	33.5 mi	0
Apr 7, 2014	EF2	55 km	4.7 mi	0
Aug 26, 2011	EF2	2 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	58 km	17.5 mi	0
May 11, 2008	EF2	89 km	15.0 mi	0
May 9, 2008	EF2	61 km	11.7 mi	0
Oct 11, 2002	EF2	54 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1999	EF2	34 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 15, 1999	EF2	81 km	10.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 1996	EF2	75 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: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	ALLAN ROAD	110,696	26 km
2008	EVANS ROAD	41,560	28 km
2011	PAINS BAY	40,218	47 km
2016	WHIPPING CREEK ROAD	12,512	45 km
2011	LATERAL WEST	6,188	76 km
2008	SOUTH 1	5,940	75 km
2023	LAST RESORT	4,974	23 km
2009	2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES	4,953	44 km
2006	BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2	3,307	58 km
2017	NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2	3,303	45 km
2003	ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A	3,156	46 km
2006	ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5	3,139	46 km
1999	NORTH RIVER	3,055	51 km
1999	LSR 2 5 6	2,629	54 km
2009	SW MASHOES	2,499	37 km
2005	LONG SHOAL RIVER 2.5.2-5	2,333	53 km
2003	FIRST FIRE-CODE 1	2,319	47 km
2009	2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH	2,297	59 km
2008	MCPHERSON ROAD	2,087	68 km
2000	QUAD 2 1 2	2,068	39 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	44°F (6°C)	3.6 in
March	51°F (11°C)	4.1 in
April	59°F (15°C)	3.4 in
May	67°F (19°C)	4.3 in
June	74°F (24°C)	4.6 in
July	79°F (26°C)	6.1 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (25°C)	5.8 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.5 in
October	63°F (17°C)	3.4 in
November	55°F (13°C)	3.1 in	Driest
December	46°F (8°C)	3.2 in

Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and November the driest (3.1").

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