Weather & Climate in Manteo, NC

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

Manteo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 310 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 46.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.6°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1 ft (0 m)
Area	2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²)
Population Density	986/sq mi
Coordinates	35.8986°N, 75.6513°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Dare County County
Nearest Airport	Dare County Regional (MEO) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.6"

23% above US avg

Snowfall 1.1"

Wettest Month (Aug) 5.83"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	45.2 / 100
Community Resilience	99.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively High

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	136 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	111 km	4 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

24 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2019	Dorian	Category 2	104 mph	71 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	225 km
2017	Maria	Category 1	75 mph	264 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	81 mph	116 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	18 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	39 km
2010	Earl	Category 2	98 mph	180 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	133 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	78 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	112 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	106 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	126 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	98 mph	194 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	18 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	273 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	203 km
1995	Felix	Category 1	81 mph	251 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	245 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	76 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	81 km

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

Tornado History

153 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 48 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 17, 1952	EF3	7 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	97 km	33.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	100 km	37.5 mi	1
Apr 7, 2014	EF2	98 km	4.7 mi	0
Aug 26, 2011	EF2	52 km	0.5 mi	0
Oct 11, 2002	EF2	99 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 17, 1999	EF2	59 km	0.2 mi	0
Nov 10, 1990	EF2	74 km	12.0 mi	0
Nov 17, 1988	EF2	68 km	9.0 mi	0
Nov 5, 1988	EF2	68 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 31, 1987	EF2	76 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 1986	EF2	68 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF2	86 km	6.0 mi	1
May 16, 1983	EF2	84 km	0.5 mi	0
Sep 28, 1982	EF2	12 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 31, 1978	EF2	15 km	0.2 mi	1
Sep 14, 1973	EF2	99 km	11.2 mi	0
May 20, 1973	EF2	72 km	2.7 mi	0
Jul 16, 1967	EF2	67 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 14, 1963	EF2	69 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	ALLAN ROAD	110,696	60 km
2008	EVANS ROAD	41,560	67 km
2011	PAINS BAY	40,218	30 km
2016	WHIPPING CREEK ROAD	12,512	38 km
2023	LAST RESORT	4,974	67 km
2009	2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES	4,953	12 km
2006	BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2	3,307	85 km
2017	NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2	3,303	13 km
2003	ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A	3,156	11 km
2006	ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5	3,139	11 km
1999	NORTH RIVER	3,055	58 km
1999	LSR 2 5 6	2,629	37 km
2009	SW MASHOES	2,499	18 km
2005	LONG SHOAL RIVER 2.5.2-5	2,333	38 km
2003	FIRST FIRE-CODE 1	2,319	28 km
2009	2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH	2,297	86 km
2008	MCPHERSON ROAD	2,087	93 km
2000	QUAD 2 1 2	2,068	16 km
2022	FEREBEE ROAD	1,954	74 km
1990	UNNAMED	1,877	12 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.5 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	3.8 in
March	51°F (10°C)	4.3 in
April	58°F (14°C)	3.3 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	4.2 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.4 in
July	80°F (26°C)	5.4 in	Warmest
August	78°F (26°C)	5.8 in	Wettest
September	74°F (23°C)	5.0 in
October	64°F (18°C)	4.0 in
November	56°F (13°C)	3.7 in
December	48°F (9°C)	3.7 in

Manteo has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.8") and April the driest (3.3").

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