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Weather & Climate in Princeton, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Princeton 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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 151 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 | 151 ft (46 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,319/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.4667°N, 78.1616°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wayne County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 140 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 | 259 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 177 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 191 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 143 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 191 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 164 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 156 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 176 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 214 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 192 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 111 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 229 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 119 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 257 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 115 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 57 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 73 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 299 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 279 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 278 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
400 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 1,132 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 70 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 47 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 38 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 27 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 65 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 31 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 38 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 47 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 96 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 55 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 59 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 81 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 65 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 100 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 45 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 71 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 34 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
18 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,944 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 89 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 80 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 88 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 80 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,399 | 79 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 68 km |
| 2011 | VALENTINE | 1,083 | 86 km |
| 2024 | HORSESHOE LAKE | 990 | 85 km |
| 2022 | CEDAR CREEK | 872 | 83 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 835 | 89 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 820 | 99 km |
| 2008 | TUSSOCK BAY | 800 | 98 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 79 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 640 | 78 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 575 | 78 km |
| 2018 | OLD HOUSE BAY | 559 | 99 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 535 | 73 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 60°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) | 5.1 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.8 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Princeton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and November the driest (3.0").