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Weather & Climate in Elizabeth City, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elizabeth City 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 51.3 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 9 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.3°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 9 ft (3 m) |
| Area | 12.3 sq mi (31.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,589/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.2942°N, 76.2378°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pasquotank County County |
| Nearest Airport | Elizabeth City Cg Air Station/Regional (ECG) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
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 | 142 km | 0 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 129 km | 1 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 116 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 | 135 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 249 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 177 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 86 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 30 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 246 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 182 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 145 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 88 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 58 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 191 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 257 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 109 mph | 63 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 253 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 189 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 293 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 140 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 149 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 39 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 111 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
307 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 27 fatalities, 425 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 67 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 68 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 61 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 42 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 78 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 42 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 1952 | EF3 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 78 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 50 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 49 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 52 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 74 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 50 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 87 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 53 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | EF2 | 88 km | 3.0 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 | 67 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 68 km |
| 2011 | PAINS BAY | 40,218 | 79 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 80 km |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 38 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 38 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 63 km |
| 2009 | 2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES | 4,953 | 66 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 99 km |
| 2017 | NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2 | 3,303 | 68 km |
| 2003 | ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A | 3,156 | 68 km |
| 2006 | ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5 | 3,139 | 68 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 22 km |
| 1999 | LSR 2 5 6 | 2,629 | 88 km |
| 2009 | SW MASHOES | 2,499 | 52 km |
| 2005 | LONG SHOAL RIVER 2.5.2-5 | 2,333 | 87 km |
| 2003 | FIRST FIRE-CODE 1 | 2,319 | 78 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 28 km |
| 2000 | QUAD 2 1 2 | 2,068 | 62 km |
| 2022 | FEREBEE ROAD | 1,954 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 5.4 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 3.2 in |
Elizabeth City has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.6") and November the driest (3.0").