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Weather & Climate in New Bern, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Bern enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°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 53.0 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 23 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.7°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 29.7 sq mi (76.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,100/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0959°N, 77.0705°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Craven County County |
| Nearest Airport | Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively 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 | 26 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 46 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 |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 280 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 187 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 109 mph | 89 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 115 mph | 97 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 98 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 62 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 52 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 270 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 89 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 117 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 208 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 61 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 137 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 72 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 174 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 16 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 117 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 49 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 200 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 180 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
447 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 651 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 70 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 46 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 49 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 76 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 61 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 68 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 17 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 91 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 97 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 68 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 49 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2018 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 45 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 65 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 2013 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 53 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 17 km | 4.1 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 | 99 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 77,768 | 88 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 93 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 85 km |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 21 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 87 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,807 | 40 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 96 km |
| 2005 | WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1 | 4,867 | 67 km |
| 2015 | NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH | 4,751 | 67 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 4,031 | 64 km |
| 2007 | TRAINING FIRE | 3,843 | 57 km |
| 2007 | 3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07 | 3,556 | 71 km |
| 2024 | HIGHWAY 12 | 3,502 | 64 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 73 km |
| 2022 | NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 3,113 | 68 km |
| 2009 | CAROLINA BAY | 3,056 | 40 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,042 | 56 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 83 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 27 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.5 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 5.0 in | |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 47°F (8°C) | 3.7 in |
New Bern has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.7") and April the driest (3.2").