Weather & Climate in Richlands, NC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Richlands enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°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 55.5 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 53 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	60.9°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	53 ft (16 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²)
Population Density	1,447/sq mi
Coordinates	34.9002°N, 77.5428°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Onslow County County
Nearest Airport	Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 55.5"

46% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 6.97"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.95"

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	73 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	94 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	234 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	142 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	109 mph	107 km
2018	Florence	Category 3	109 mph	67 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	92 mph	109 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	84 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	89 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	94 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	130 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	284 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	162 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	106 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	145 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	45 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	174 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	31 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	69 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	12 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	216 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	219 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

492 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 40 fatalities, 870 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	67 km	21.0 mi	3
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	52 km	28.0 mi	16
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	92 km	6.5 mi	1
Apr 25, 2014	EF3	78 km	21.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	58 km	20.4 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	24 km	3.8 mi	0
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	89 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	47 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	65 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	76 km	8.5 mi	0
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	87 km	25.8 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	31 km	41.3 mi	2
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	91 km	46.9 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	50 km	8.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	62 km	9.5 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	60 km	4.7 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	52 km	13.0 mi	0
Nov 24, 2018	EF2	62 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 8, 2014	EF2	34 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	68 km	1.1 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	48 km
2011	JUNIPER ROAD	31,511	44 km
1994	FISH DAY	21,772	48 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	39 km
1985	UNNAMED	5,807	55 km
2007	TRAINING FIRE	3,843	97 km
2009	CAROLINA BAY	3,056	57 km
1995	UNNAMED	3,042	98 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,970	40 km
1992	GREAT LAKE	2,843	42 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	47 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	89 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	47 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,420	93 km
2002	BT-11	2,193	98 km
2020	TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD	2,076	50 km
2006	UNNAMED	2,027	53 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,024	71 km
2013	WOODPECKER FIRE	2,015	51 km
2010	BURNCOMP27	1,894	51 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.3 in	Coldest
February	46°F (8°C)	3.8 in
March	53°F (12°C)	4.1 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.3 in
May	69°F (20°C)	4.4 in
June	76°F (24°C)	5.0 in
July	79°F (26°C)	7.0 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (26°C)	6.2 in
September	73°F (23°C)	5.0 in
October	62°F (17°C)	3.2 in
November	54°F (12°C)	3.0 in	Driest
December	46°F (8°C)	3.5 in

Richlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.0") and November the driest (3.0").

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