Weather & Climate in Mount Olive, NC

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

Mount Olive enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°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 52.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 164 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	164 ft (50 m)
Area	2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²)
Population Density	1,534/sq mi
Coordinates	35.1998°N, 78.0661°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wayne County County
Nearest Airport	Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 27 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.0"

37% above US avg

Snowfall 2.0"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.94"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.95"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.0 / 100
Community Resilience	37.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	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	117 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	131 km	4 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	236 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	150 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	109 mph	162 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	109 mph	113 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	92 mph	161 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	141 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	143 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	146 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	189 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	282 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	166 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	117 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	203 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	89 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	229 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	89 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	58 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	48 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	274 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	270 km

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

Tornado History

479 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 66 fatalities, 1,495 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988	EF4	97 km	83.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	24 km	21.0 mi	3
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	30 km	28.0 mi	16
Sep 27, 2024	EF3	89 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	51 km	6.5 mi	1
Jul 19, 2023	EF3	91 km	13.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF3	93 km	21.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	82 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	27 km	20.4 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	99 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	63 km	8.2 mi	1
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	97 km	2.2 mi	8
Nov 23, 1992	EF3	63 km	160.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	15 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	84 km	40.0 mi	12
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	56 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	65 km	8.5 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	79 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	48 km	25.8 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	80 km	41.3 mi	2

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	86 km
2011	JUNIPER ROAD	31,511	83 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	59 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,970	77 km
1992	GREAT LAKE	2,843	97 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	98 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	59 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	97 km
2020	TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD	2,076	89 km
2020	CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX	1,616	100 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,602	93 km
2014	SHAKEN CREEK	1,469	77 km
2020	CRO LONG POINT C-39/40 RX	1,448	93 km
2006	OVERHILLS	1,436	84 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,399	66 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,371	94 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,319	46 km
2011	SR8	1,311	84 km
2011	WOLF ISLAND	1,310	90 km
2022	JUNIPER ROAD TWO	1,307	83 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	4.2 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.3 in
April	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.1 in
June	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in
July	78°F (26°C)	5.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (25°C)	5.4 in
September	73°F (23°C)	4.7 in
October	62°F (17°C)	3.0 in
November	53°F (12°C)	3.0 in	Driest
December	45°F (7°C)	3.3 in

Mount Olive has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 41°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (3.0").

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