Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kinston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. The area gets 306 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 59.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 275 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)84°F Jul (29°C)
Annual Average
68.8°F
27% above US avg
January Average
52°F (11°C)
July Average
84°F (29°C)
Sunny Days
306 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
275 ft (84 m)
Area
4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density
155/sq mi
Coordinates
31.2196°N, 86.1701°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Covington County County
Nearest Airport
Dothan Regional (DHN) 43 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall59.1"
56% above US avg
Wettest Month (Mar)6.18"
Driest Month (Oct)3.19"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
82.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
86.7 / 100
Community Resilience
40.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Oct 24, 1997
15 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M4.8
112 km
10 km
Oct 26, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.7
108 km
10 km
Sep 30, 2003
10 km NNW of Atmore, Alabama
M3.3
129 km
5 km
May 4, 1997
9 km ESE of Atmore, Alabama
M3.1
120 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2019
4 km N of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.1
106 km
5 km
Apr 11, 2019
6 km NNW of Pollard, Alabama
M3.1
99 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1997
11 km NNW of Flomaton, Alabama
M3.0
108 km
10 km
Sep 25, 2003
14 km N of Atmore, Alabama
M2.9
128 km
0 km
Mar 7, 2019
2 km NW of Jay, Florida
M2.8
99 km
5 km
Mar 24, 2019
2 km ESE of Century, Florida
M2.7
106 km
5 km
Apr 12, 2019
13 km NW of Flomaton, Alabama
M2.6
112 km
5 km
Sep 5, 2000
1 km ENE of Monroeville, Alabama
M2.5
114 km
3 km
Apr 11, 2019
8 km NW of Pollard, Alabama
M2.5
102 km
8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
259 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
287 km
2020
Sally
Category 2
109 mph
126 km
2020
Zeta
Category 1
—
260 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
123 km
2017
Nate
Category 1
86 mph
285 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
231 km
2005
Dennis
Category 4
127 mph
117 km
2004
Ivan
Category 3
127 mph
147 km
1998
Earl
Category 2
98 mph
132 km
1998
Georges
Category 2
109 mph
269 km
1997
Danny
Category 1
81 mph
189 km
1995
Opal
Category 3
127 mph
65 km
1995
Erin
Category 2
98 mph
138 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
196 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
153 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
619 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 613 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 1, 2007
EF4
25 km
10.3 mi
9
Apr 18, 1969
EF4
81 km
52.4 mi
2
Mar 31, 2022
EF3
90 km
12.1 mi
2
Nov 25, 1986
EF3
29 km
44.0 mi
0
May 16, 1983
EF3
29 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
81 km
0.5 mi
0
Dec 19, 1974
EF3
62 km
11.3 mi
0
Dec 30, 1973
EF3
56 km
1.5 mi
0
Dec 29, 1973
EF3
28 km
11.6 mi
0
Dec 29, 1973
EF3
79 km
15.0 mi
0
Jan 13, 1972
EF3
84 km
16.8 mi
0
Sep 17, 1971
EF3
22 km
0.3 mi
0
Mar 3, 1971
EF3
65 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 2, 1971
EF3
55 km
23.8 mi
0
Dec 10, 1967
EF3
69 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 25, 1964
EF3
99 km
12.8 mi
0
Dec 10, 1961
EF3
84 km
0.2 mi
0
May 3, 1956
EF3
56 km
3.8 mi
0
May 10, 2024
EF2
96 km
24.0 mi
0
Jan 9, 2024
EF2
69 km
34.8 mi
1
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (9,706 acres, 2006).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2006
UNNAMED
9,706
80 km
2013
UNNAMED
9,046
40 km
2008
UNNAMED
7,660
77 km
2010
UNNAMED
5,692
82 km
2007
UNNAMED
5,616
78 km
2013
UNNAMED
5,525
61 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,627
70 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,577
67 km
2007
UNNAMED
4,523
63 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,486
84 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,397
65 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,235
55 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,231
79 km
2008
UNNAMED
4,200
87 km
2009
UNNAMED
4,141
68 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,119
83 km
2011
UNNAMED
4,032
62 km
2017
UNNAMED
3,967
76 km
2010
UNNAMED
3,921
74 km
2005
UNNAMED
3,854
77 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
52°F (11°C)
5.0 in
February
51°F (11°C)
5.4 in
March
58°F (15°C)
6.2 in
Wettest
April
65°F (18°C)
4.0 in
May
72°F (22°C)
4.2 in
June
78°F (26°C)
5.1 in
July
84°F (29°C)
5.6 in
Warmest
August
80°F (27°C)
5.0 in
September
76°F (25°C)
4.4 in
October
66°F (19°C)
3.2 in
Driest
November
57°F (14°C)
3.9 in
December
51°F (10°C)
4.8 in
Coldest
Kinston has a seasonal temperature swing of 33°F / from 51°F in December to 84°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.2") and October the driest (3.2").