Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Jackson Heights enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°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 53.0 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 80 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
61.2°F
13% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
80 ft (24 m)
Area
0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density
691/sq mi
Coordinates
35.2236°N, 77.6333°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Lenoir County County
Nearest Airport
Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 8 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.0"
40% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)5.87"
Driest Month (Nov)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
84.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
89.8 / 100
Community Resilience
51.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively 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
78 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
92 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 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
258 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
167 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
109 mph
140 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
109 mph
103 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
140 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
110 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
104 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
131 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
160 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
186 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
86 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
177 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
81 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
208 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
60 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
87 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
25 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
245 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
230 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
224 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
494 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 35 fatalities, 979 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
18 km
28.0 mi
16
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
59 km
21.0 mi
3
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
85 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
56 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
89 km
13.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
100 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
56 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
59 km
3.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
25 km
20.4 mi
0
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
64 km
8.2 mi
1
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
99 km
160.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
24 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
30 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
41 km
8.5 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
85 km
25.8 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
45 km
41.3 mi
2
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
54 km
46.9 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
60 km
8.0 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
74 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
76 km
4.7 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
82 km
2011
JUNIPER ROAD
31,511
78 km
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
66 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
63 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
81 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
82 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,970
73 km
1992
GREAT LAKE
2,843
65 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
62 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
92 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
61 km
2020
TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD
2,076
85 km
2006
UNNAMED
2,027
78 km
2013
WOODPECKER FIRE
2,015
78 km
2010
BURNCOMP27
1,894
79 km
2020
CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX
1,878
78 km
2020
CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX
1,616
69 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,602
63 km
2020
CRO MILLIS ROAD C-28/26 RX
1,584
79 km
2014
SHAKEN CREEK
1,469
70 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
February
45°F (7°C)
3.5 in
March
53°F (12°C)
4.2 in
April
61°F (16°C)
3.4 in
May
69°F (20°C)
4.1 in
June
76°F (24°C)
4.7 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.9 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (26°C)
5.7 in
September
73°F (23°C)
5.0 in
October
62°F (17°C)
3.5 in
November
54°F (12°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
46°F (8°C)
3.5 in
Jackson Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (2.8").