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Weather & Climate in Holden Beach, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Holden Beach enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 304 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 56.5 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 1 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.4°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1 ft (0 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 346/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9120°N, 78.3208°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Horry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
26 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 106 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 17 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 69 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 12 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 26 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 69 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 151 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 71 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 133 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 156 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 37 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 220 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 103 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 32 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 138 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 58 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 30 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 40 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 229 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 294 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
263 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 345 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 99 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 17 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 48 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 83 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 39 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 34 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 15 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 82 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2004 | EF2 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 3 |
| Jul 6, 2001 | EF2 | 57 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1999 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF2 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1990 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1985 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,768 acres, 1986).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 77,768 | 86 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 90 km |
| 2009 | HIGHWAY 31 | 17,004 | 50 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 96 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,111 | 93 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 92 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 42 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 85 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 18 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 64 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 97 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,870 | 82 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 1,683 | 83 km |
| 2002 | LEGENDS | 1,666 | 65 km |
| 2014 | SHAKEN CREEK | 1,469 | 98 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 17 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,335 | 95 km |
| 2011 | WOLF ISLAND | 1,310 | 80 km |
| 2022 | JUNIPER ROAD TWO | 1,307 | 92 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,293 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 7.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 6.9 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 3.8 in |
Holden Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.0") and April the driest (3.0").