Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gloucester enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°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 55.7 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 6 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.8°F
18% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
6 ft (2 m)
Area
1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density
357/sq mi
Coordinates
34.7321°N, 76.5386°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Carteret County County
Nearest Airport
Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) 37 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall55.7"
47% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)6.89"
Driest Month (Apr)3.03"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
93.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
52.4 / 100
Community Resilience
92.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
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
47 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
63 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2022
Ian
Category 1
81 mph
292 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
203 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
26 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
115 mph
74 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
48 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
7 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
7 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
104 mph
212 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
34 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
61 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
224 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
36 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
82 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
101 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
112 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
53 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
153 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
101 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
138 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
125 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
248 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 182 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
77 km
3.8 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
69 km
41.3 mi
2
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
48 km
13.0 mi
0
Nov 24, 2018
EF2
36 km
2.8 mi
0
Apr 7, 2014
EF2
94 km
4.7 mi
0
Nov 26, 2013
EF2
22 km
0.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
49 km
4.1 mi
0
May 11, 2008
EF2
66 km
5.0 mi
0
Oct 11, 2002
EF2
95 km
3.0 mi
0
Sep 15, 1999
EF2
58 km
10.0 mi
0
Sep 15, 1999
EF2
35 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 8, 1996
EF2
89 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 10, 1990
EF2
100 km
12.0 mi
0
Sep 15, 1990
EF2
4 km
0.5 mi
0
Mar 20, 1989
EF2
4 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 2, 1986
EF2
81 km
1.5 mi
3
Jun 17, 1986
EF2
87 km
0.5 mi
0
Sep 26, 1982
EF2
93 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 19, 1978
EF2
80 km
0.7 mi
0
May 27, 1974
EF2
32 km
2.8 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: FISH DAY (21,772 acres, 1994).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
48 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
39 km
2005
WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1
4,867
30 km
2015
NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH
4,751
30 km
1986
UNNAMED
4,031
24 km
2007
TRAINING FIRE
3,843
24 km
2007
3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07
3,556
32 km
2024
HIGHWAY 12
3,502
24 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
77 km
2022
NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
3,113
30 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
37 km
1995
UNNAMED
3,042
28 km
1992
GREAT LAKE
2,843
52 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
52 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
52 km
1989
UNNAMED
2,420
26 km
2009
2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH
2,297
76 km
2002
BT-11
2,193
27 km
2006
UNNAMED
2,027
41 km
2013
WOODPECKER FIRE
2,015
44 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
5.0 in
Coldest
February
47°F (8°C)
4.1 in
March
54°F (12°C)
4.2 in
April
61°F (16°C)
3.0 in
Driest
May
69°F (21°C)
4.5 in
June
76°F (24°C)
4.6 in
July
81°F (27°C)
6.3 in
Warmest
August
79°F (26°C)
6.9 in
Wettest
September
74°F (24°C)
6.2 in
October
65°F (18°C)
4.3 in
November
57°F (14°C)
3.9 in
December
49°F (9°C)
4.2 in
Gloucester has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.9") and April the driest (3.0").