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Weather & Climate in Hatteras, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hatteras enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 61.2 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 2 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.8°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2 ft (1 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 241/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2199°N, 75.6879°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Dare County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dare County Regional (MEO) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively 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 High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very 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 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 86 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
25 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 | 296 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 109 mph | 8 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 109 mph | 155 km |
| 2017 | Maria | Category 1 | 75 mph | 254 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 50 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 30 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 64 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 158 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 58 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 45 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 59 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 114 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 65 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 131 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 67 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 239 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 176 km |
| 1995 | Felix | Category 1 | 81 mph | 253 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 169 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 54 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
125 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 43 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 17, 1952 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 96 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | EF2 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF2 | 80 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1990 | EF2 | 5 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1990 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1989 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 1988 | EF2 | 98 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1987 | EF2 | 13 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1986 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1982 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1978 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1974 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1973 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1960 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1952 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 10, 2024 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2020 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.7 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 | 74 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 80 km |
| 2011 | PAINS BAY | 40,218 | 52 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 49 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 84 km |
| 2009 | 2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES | 4,953 | 70 km |
| 2005 | WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1 | 4,867 | 68 km |
| 2015 | NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH | 4,751 | 67 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 4,031 | 73 km |
| 2007 | TRAINING FIRE | 3,843 | 79 km |
| 2007 | 3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07 | 3,556 | 64 km |
| 2024 | HIGHWAY 12 | 3,502 | 73 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 66 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 | 69 km |
| 2022 | NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 3,113 | 67 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,042 | 76 km |
| 1999 | LSR 2 5 6 | 2,629 | 42 km |
| 2009 | SW MASHOES | 2,499 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 5.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 49°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 5.7 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 53°F (12°C) | 4.2 in |
Hatteras has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 48°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.5") and April the driest (3.3").