Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oak Island enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 69°F (20°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 314 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 59.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42. The city sits at an elevation of 6 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
68.7°F
27% above US avg
January Average
52°F (11°C)
July Average
83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
314 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
6 ft (2 m)
Area
1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²)
Population Density
234/sq mi
Coordinates
29.6629°N, 94.6881°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Chambers County County
Nearest Airport
Scholes International At Galveston (GLS) 29 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall59.7"
57% above US avg
Snowfall0.2"
Wettest Month (Sep)6.18"
Driest Month (Feb)2.76"
Air Quality
AQI Median
42.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
51.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
97.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Francine
Category 2
98 mph
268 km
2024
Beryl
Category 1
92 mph
133 km
2021
Nicholas
Category 1
75 mph
137 km
2020
Laura
Category 4
150 mph
135 km
2020
Delta
Category 3
115 mph
131 km
2020
Hanna
Category 1
81 mph
299 km
2019
Barry
Category 1
75 mph
241 km
2017
Harvey
Category 4
132 mph
275 km
2008
Ike
Category 2
109 mph
21 km
2008
Gustav
Category 1
—
278 km
2007
Humberto
Category 1
92 mph
33 km
2005
Rita
Category 4
127 mph
90 km
2003
Claudette
Category 1
92 mph
171 km
2002
Lili
Category 2
92 mph
233 km
1992
Andrew
Category 1
92 mph
292 km
1989
Jerry
Category 1
86 mph
60 km
1989
Chantal
Category 1
81 mph
29 km
1986
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
46 km
1985
Juan
Category 1
86 mph
168 km
1985
Danny
Category 1
92 mph
192 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
709 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 845 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 21, 1992
EF4
58 km
30.0 mi
0
Sep 12, 1961
EF4
39 km
1.0 mi
8
Dec 28, 2024
EF3
82 km
10.3 mi
0
Dec 28, 2024
EF3
2 km
67.9 mi
0
Jan 24, 2023
EF3
55 km
23.3 mi
0
Mar 30, 2002
EF3
32 km
0.7 mi
0
Jan 1, 1999
EF3
44 km
5.5 mi
0
Nov 21, 1992
EF3
55 km
32.0 mi
0
Feb 5, 1986
EF3
93 km
5.0 mi
2
Jan 31, 1983
EF3
68 km
1.0 mi
0
Dec 13, 1977
EF3
59 km
25.1 mi
1
Mar 8, 1976
EF3
79 km
12.7 mi
0
Oct 28, 1974
EF3
32 km
3.3 mi
1
Oct 28, 1974
EF3
31 km
9.6 mi
1
Oct 11, 1970
EF3
83 km
4.3 mi
0
Sep 8, 1969
EF3
52 km
0.8 mi
0
May 27, 1969
EF3
13 km
1.5 mi
3
Mar 23, 1969
EF3
41 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 18, 1967
EF3
35 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 18, 1966
EF3
99 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: 08 UNIT 1 RX (16,981 acres, 2007).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2007
08 UNIT 1 RX
16,981
42 km
1993
PF UNIT 5
15,059
98 km
2010
MCR UNIT 2 RX
14,471
49 km
2000
E WHITES 2
13,996
46 km
2012
WF HOLIDAY 1-2
13,251
47 km
2003
UNNAMED
11,431
95 km
2005
RX UNIT 12 1117 2005
10,728
47 km
1997
WILD COW BAY
10,069
61 km
2020
TXMCR-FY20-RX-W
10,033
58 km
2023
H AND H COMPLEX
9,476
61 km
1992
UNNAMED
9,344
48 km
2003
UNIT 8 WILDFIRE
9,076
60 km
1986
STAR LAKE
8,876
48 km
2015
WF UNIT 1 1/2
8,840
47 km
1997
GRIT ROAD
8,599
57 km
1989
UNNAMED
8,539
38 km
1996
UNIT 7
8,298
96 km
1994
UNIT1ARSON
8,287
43 km
2011
SABINE WEST 2011 UNIT 5
8,184
94 km
1997
MCF WEST
7,786
49 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
52°F (11°C)
4.0 in
Coldest
February
55°F (13°C)
2.8 in
Driest
March
62°F (17°C)
2.8 in
April
68°F (20°C)
3.1 in
May
75°F (24°C)
4.4 in
June
81°F (27°C)
5.2 in
July
83°F (28°C)
4.3 in
Warmest
August
83°F (28°C)
4.3 in
September
79°F (26°C)
6.2 in
Wettest
October
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
November
62°F (17°C)
4.1 in
December
55°F (13°C)
3.9 in
Oak Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 31°F / from 52°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (6.2") and February the driest (2.8").