Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hassell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°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 53.2 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 78 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
78 ft (24 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density
181/sq mi
Coordinates
35.9086°N, 77.2764°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Martin County County
Nearest Airport
Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 35 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.2"
40% above US avg
Snowfall0.5"
Wettest Month (Aug)5.12"
Driest Month (Nov)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
65.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
62.7 / 100
Community Resilience
57.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Very Low
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
100 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
90 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
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
250 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
169 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
180 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
177 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
134 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
99 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
179 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
182 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
268 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
28 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
225 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
49 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
256 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
96 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
151 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
105 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
285 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
212 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
219 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
113 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
420 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 617 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
79 km
28.0 mi
16
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
48 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
68 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
55 km
13.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
35 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
47 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
79 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
35 km
17.9 mi
12
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
61 km
8.2 mi
1
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
26 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
97 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
73 km
14.0 mi
2
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
54 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
43 km
8.5 mi
0
Jul 4, 1967
EF3
95 km
2.0 mi
0
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
49 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
76 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
64 km
9.5 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
86 km
15.9 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
54 km
33.5 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
95 km
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
87 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
84 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
99 km
2009
2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH
2,297
99 km
2000
ROY WATSON 2
1,973
100 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
81 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
67 km
2002
BELL SLOP
1,818
96 km
1991
UNNAMED
1,399
76 km
1991
TRIANGLE
1,387
68 km
2009
2 1 1 NORTH BELL ISLAND FY 09
1,365
95 km
1985
UNNAMED
1,091
90 km
2008
SYCAMORE SHORES
1,044
48 km
2009
2 1 2 CENTRAL BELL ISLAND RX FY 09 B
1,033
98 km
2015
NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO
979
70 km
1997
UNNAMED
975
100 km
2004
PUNGO SOUTH RX
967
70 km
2010
RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST
962
71 km
2010
UNNAMED
945
69 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
43°F (6°C)
3.7 in
March
51°F (10°C)
4.0 in
April
59°F (15°C)
3.2 in
May
67°F (20°C)
4.2 in
June
75°F (24°C)
4.3 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.1 in
Warmest
August
77°F (25°C)
5.1 in
Wettest
September
72°F (22°C)
4.2 in
October
61°F (16°C)
3.1 in
November
52°F (11°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
44°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Hassell has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.1") and November the driest (2.8").