Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oak City 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 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 53.2 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 83 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
83 ft (25 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
472/sq mi
Coordinates
35.9625°N, 77.3051°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Martin County County
Nearest Airport
Halifax/Northampton Regional (RZZ) 31 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.2"
40% above US avg
Snowfall0.5"
Wettest Month (Aug)5.12"
Driest Month (Nov)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
65.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
62.7 / 100
Community Resilience
57.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
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
107 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
96 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
254 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
174 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
186 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
184 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
139 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
104 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
185 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
188 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
272 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
33 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
231 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
54 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
263 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
103 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
152 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
110 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
291 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
217 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
223 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
118 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
422 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 730 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
82 km
28.0 mi
16
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
45 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
69 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
52 km
13.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
38 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
53 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
82 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
35 km
17.9 mi
12
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
60 km
8.2 mi
1
Apr 28, 2008
EF3
100 km
24.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1986
EF3
100 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
21 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
71 km
14.0 mi
2
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
58 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
47 km
8.5 mi
0
Jul 4, 1967
EF3
92 km
2.0 mi
0
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
50 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
75 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
67 km
9.5 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
81 km
15.9 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
18 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
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
91 km
2011
LATERAL WEST
6,188
100 km
2008
SOUTH 1
5,940
99 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
88 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
86 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
62 km
1991
UNNAMED
1,399
82 km
1991
TRIANGLE
1,387
72 km
2008
POCAHONTAS ROAD
1,146
100 km
1985
UNNAMED
1,091
89 km
2008
SYCAMORE SHORES
1,044
42 km
2015
NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO
979
74 km
2004
PUNGO SOUTH RX
967
75 km
2010
RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST
962
76 km
2010
UNNAMED
945
74 km
2015
NCPOR FY15 RX CENTRAL PUNGO
783
74 km
1992
BOUNDARY 1
698
96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
4.1 in
Coldest
February
43°F (6°C)
3.7 in
March
51°F (10°C)
4.0 in
April
59°F (15°C)
3.2 in
May
67°F (20°C)
4.2 in
June
75°F (24°C)
4.3 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.1 in
Warmest
August
77°F (25°C)
5.1 in
Wettest
September
72°F (22°C)
4.2 in
October
61°F (16°C)
3.1 in
November
52°F (11°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
44°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Oak City has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.1") and November the driest (2.8").