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 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.0 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 164 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.1°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
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
Air Quality
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 | 42°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 6.9 in | Wettest |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in |
Mount Olive has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.4 inches, with September being the wettest month (6.9") and November the driest (2.6").