Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pumpkin Center 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 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 58.9 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 37 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
62.5°F
16% above US avg
January Average
44°F (7°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
37 ft (11 m)
Area
1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density
1,380/sq mi
Coordinates
34.7860°N, 77.3642°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Onslow County County
Nearest Airport
Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) 27 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall58.9"
55% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)7.32"
Driest Month (Oct)3.11"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
95.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
14.4 / 100
Community Resilience
40.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
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
63 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
88 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
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
237 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
144 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
87 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
115 mph
56 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
88 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
64 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
71 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
104 mph
281 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
78 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
110 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
286 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
165 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
95 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
124 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
38 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
154 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
11 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
79 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
32 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
195 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
452 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 fatalities, 837 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
86 km
21.0 mi
3
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
71 km
28.0 mi
16
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
84 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
6 km
3.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
78 km
20.4 mi
0
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
94 km
2.2 mi
8
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
67 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
79 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
89 km
8.5 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
27 km
41.3 mi
2
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
66 km
8.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
73 km
4.7 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
79 km
9.5 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
32 km
13.0 mi
0
Nov 24, 2018
EF2
42 km
2.8 mi
0
Sep 8, 2014
EF2
49 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
77 km
1.1 mi
0
Nov 26, 2013
EF2
55 km
0.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
34 km
2.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
37 km
4.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (77,768 acres, 1986).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1986
UNNAMED
77,768
45 km
2011
JUNIPER ROAD
31,511
42 km
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
34 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
49 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
37 km
2005
WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1
4,867
94 km
2015
NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH
4,751
94 km
1986
UNNAMED
4,031
89 km
2007
TRAINING FIRE
3,843
83 km
2007
3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07
3,556
98 km
2024
HIGHWAY 12
3,502
89 km
2022
NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
3,113
94 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
39 km
1995
UNNAMED
3,042
84 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,970
40 km
1992
GREAT LAKE
2,843
27 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
36 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
37 km
1989
UNNAMED
2,420
80 km
2002
BT-11
2,193
84 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 (8°C)
4.0 in
March
54°F (12°C)
4.0 in
April
62°F (17°C)
3.2 in
May
69°F (21°C)
4.4 in
June
76°F (25°C)
5.2 in
July
81°F (27°C)
7.3 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
79°F (26°C)
6.5 in
September
74°F (23°C)
5.2 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.1 in
Driest
November
55°F (13°C)
3.1 in
December
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
Pumpkin Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.3") and October the driest (3.1").