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Weather & Climate in Dortches, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dortches enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 305 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 47.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 191 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.8°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 191 ft (58 m) |
| Area | 7.9 sq mi (20.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 166/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.0114°N, 77.8572°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Halifax County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 93.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
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 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 137 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 |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 242 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 211 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 193 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 222 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 185 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 152 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 213 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 230 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 258 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 78 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 260 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 101 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 295 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 133 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 118 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 115 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 265 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 273 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 164 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 220 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
390 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 46 fatalities, 808 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 82 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 76 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 7 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 41 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 2 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 88 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 87 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 72 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 82 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 30 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 96 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 86 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 61 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 100 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 65 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 57 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 36 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 35 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 65 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 25 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,399 | 99 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 92 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 43 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.2 in |
Dortches has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (3.0").