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Weather & Climate in Kinston, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kinston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°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 52.9 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 83 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.6°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 83 ft (25 m) |
| Area | 18.5 sq mi (48.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,071/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.2751°N, 77.5934°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lenoir County County |
| Nearest Airport | Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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 | 76 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 88 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 | 265 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 174 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 109 mph | 140 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 109 mph | 109 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 141 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 111 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 101 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 133 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 162 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 193 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 79 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 179 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 86 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 212 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 61 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 93 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 31 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 247 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 227 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 222 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
491 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 32 fatalities, 917 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 18 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 65 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 54 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 85 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 50 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 63 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 25 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 61 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 29 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 23 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 35 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 90 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 46 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 49 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 66 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 72 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 21 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 83 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 | 88 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 84 km |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 66 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 70 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,807 | 82 km |
| 2009 | CAROLINA BAY | 3,056 | 83 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 80 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 66 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 62 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 61 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 91 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,027 | 80 km |
| 2013 | WOODPECKER FIRE | 2,015 | 80 km |
| 2000 | ROY WATSON 2 | 1,973 | 97 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP27 | 1,894 | 80 km |
| 2020 | CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX | 1,878 | 79 km |
| 2020 | CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX | 1,616 | 70 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 65 km |
| 2020 | CRO MILLIS ROAD C-28/26 RX | 1,584 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| 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 | 81°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 |
Kinston has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (2.8").