Weather & Climate in Lake Waccamaw, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Lake Waccamaw enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°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 50.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 57 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.8°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	57 ft (17 m)
Area	2.8 sq mi (7.2 km²)
Population Density	593/sq mi
Coordinates	34.3182°N, 78.5112°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Columbus County County
Nearest Airport	Wilmington International (ILM) 35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.9"

34% above US avg

Snowfall 1.2"

Wettest Month (Jul) 6.38"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.80"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	88.3 / 100
Community Resilience	23.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
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: M2.9.

Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	133 km	8 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	134 km	14 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
2022	Ian	Category 1	81 mph	130 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	47 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	117 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	37 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	75 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	117 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	168 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	104 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	169 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	178 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	60 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	212 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	145 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	74 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	180 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	75 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	42 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	65 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	258 km
1991	Bob	Category 2	109 mph	265 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

388 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 46 fatalities, 1,042 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	80 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	85 km	21.0 mi	3
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	75 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	45 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	96 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	25 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	66 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	96 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	93 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	70 km	25.8 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	78 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 17, 1965	EF3	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	100 km	21.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	69 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	18 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	53 km	4.7 mi	0
Aug 3, 2020	EF2	73 km	8.3 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	50 km	9.3 mi	0
Sep 8, 2014	EF2	80 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	35 km	13.1 mi	1

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	77 km
2011	JUNIPER ROAD	31,511	79 km
2009	HIGHWAY 31	17,004	65 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	71 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,970	78 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	55 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,204	59 km
2020	TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD	2,076	77 km
1993	UNNAMED	2,073	54 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,024	64 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	56 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,870	99 km
2002	LEGENDS	1,666	78 km
2014	SHAKEN CREEK	1,469	85 km
2016	CLEMMONS ROAD	1,468	47 km
1990	UNNAMED	1,335	97 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	64 km
2011	SR8	1,311	92 km
2011	WOLF ISLAND	1,310	73 km
2022	JUNIPER ROAD TWO	1,307	82 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	47°F (8°C)	3.7 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.3 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.0 in
May	69°F (21°C)	4.3 in
June	76°F (24°C)	5.1 in
July	80°F (27°C)	6.4 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (26°C)	5.9 in
September	74°F (23°C)	4.9 in
October	63°F (17°C)	2.8 in	Driest
November	55°F (13°C)	2.9 in
December	47°F (8°C)	3.4 in

Lake Waccamaw has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.4") and October the driest (2.8").

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