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Weather & Climate in Northwest, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Northwest enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 59 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.7°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 59 ft (18 m) |
| Area | 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 96/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3160°N, 78.1448°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Brunswick County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
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 | 149 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 57 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 97 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 33 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 69 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 85 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 135 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 75 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 140 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 199 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 77 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 182 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 123 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 54 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 157 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 41 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 32 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 32 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 226 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 271 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
353 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 775 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 82 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 56 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 84 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 9 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 88 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 78 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 58 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 45 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 41 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 55 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 58 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 61 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 64 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 43 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 55 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 2009 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2004 | EF2 | 26 km | 5.0 mi | 3 |
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 | 46 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 48 km |
| 2009 | HIGHWAY 31 | 17,004 | 86 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 48 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 48 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 64 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 79 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 45 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 40 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 30 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 87 km |
| 2014 | SHAKEN CREEK | 1,469 | 56 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 35 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 67 km |
| 2011 | SR8 | 1,311 | 61 km |
| 2011 | WOLF ISLAND | 1,310 | 41 km |
| 2022 | JUNIPER ROAD TWO | 1,307 | 51 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,293 | 46 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP43 | 1,259 | 76 km |
| 2008 | EDNA BUCK ROAD | 1,256 | 28 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 5.4 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 7.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.7 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 5.9 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in |
Northwest has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.4") and October the driest (2.9").