Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pikeville 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. 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 52.5 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 136 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
60.7°F
12% above US avg
January Average
42°F (5°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
136 ft (41 m)
Area
0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²)
Population Density
983/sq mi
Coordinates
35.4972°N, 77.9878°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Wilson County County
Nearest Airport
Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 24 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall52.5"
38% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)5.47"
Driest Month (Nov)2.95"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
76.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
61.5 / 100
Community Resilience
51.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
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
118 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
125 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
268 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
184 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
183 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
109 mph
140 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
86 mph
184 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
154 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
142 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
171 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
204 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
200 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
95 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
221 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
110 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
251 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
105 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
73 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
66 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
289 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
264 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
109 mph
264 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
439 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 fatalities, 1,154 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988
EF4
80 km
83.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
27 km
28.0 mi
16
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
55 km
21.0 mi
3
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
56 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
17 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
57 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
79 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
20 km
20.4 mi
0
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
29 km
8.2 mi
1
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
63 km
160.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
34 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
100 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
40 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
43 km
8.5 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
97 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
77 km
25.8 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
89 km
41.3 mi
2
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
31 km
46.9 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
75 km
8.0 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
32 km
30.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (7,944 acres, 1994).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
90 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
90 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
81 km
2006
OVERHILLS
1,436
96 km
1991
UNNAMED
1,399
65 km
2016
UNNAMED
1,371
100 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,319
77 km
2011
VALENTINE
1,083
99 km
2008
SYCAMORE SHORES
1,044
98 km
2024
HORSESHOE LAKE
990
97 km
2022
CEDAR CREEK
872
96 km
2010
BURNCOMP03
843
100 km
1993
UNNAMED
835
95 km
2008
HIGHWAY 1
766
83 km
2018
UNNAMED
765
100 km
2007
UNNAMED
686
99 km
2017
UNNAMED
661
99 km
2009
UNNAMED
640
85 km
2017
UNNAMED
613
100 km
1985
UNNAMED
575
71 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
42°F (5°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
February
45°F (7°C)
3.6 in
March
52°F (11°C)
4.3 in
April
61°F (16°C)
3.3 in
May
68°F (20°C)
4.0 in
June
76°F (24°C)
4.1 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.5 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (25°C)
5.3 in
September
73°F (23°C)
5.0 in
October
62°F (16°C)
3.2 in
November
53°F (12°C)
3.0 in
Driest
December
45°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Pikeville has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and November the driest (3.0").