Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
River Bend enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 46°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 57.2 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 10 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Area
2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²)
Population Density
1,154/sq mi
Coordinates
35.0689°N, 77.1499°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Craven County County
Nearest Airport
Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) 6 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall57.2"
50% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)6.69"
Driest Month (Apr)3.19"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
93.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
64.3 / 100
Community Resilience
68.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Very 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 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
33 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
54 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
273 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
180 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
109 mph
94 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
115 mph
91 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
92 mph
99 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
65 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
59 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
104 mph
277 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
90 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
119 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
200 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
68 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
137 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
75 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
174 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
19 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
109 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
42 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
202 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
187 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
459 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 686 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
64 km
28.0 mi
16
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
98 km
6.5 mi
1
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
94 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
49 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
43 km
3.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
71 km
20.4 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
70 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
58 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
66 km
8.5 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
10 km
41.3 mi
2
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
89 km
46.9 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
89 km
8.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
64 km
9.5 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
47 km
13.0 mi
0
Nov 24, 2018
EF2
48 km
2.8 mi
0
Sep 8, 2014
EF2
74 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
46 km
1.1 mi
0
Apr 7, 2014
EF2
71 km
4.7 mi
0
Nov 26, 2013
EF2
54 km
0.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
18 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
81 km
2011
JUNIPER ROAD
31,511
78 km
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
21 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
79 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
40 km
2005
WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1
4,867
74 km
2015
NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH
4,751
74 km
1986
UNNAMED
4,031
70 km
2007
TRAINING FIRE
3,843
63 km
2007
3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07
3,556
78 km
2024
HIGHWAY 12
3,502
70 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
80 km
2022
NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
3,113
74 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
40 km
1995
UNNAMED
3,042
63 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,970
76 km
1992
GREAT LAKE
2,843
24 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
16 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
15 km
1989
UNNAMED
2,420
58 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
4.5 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
3.9 in
March
53°F (12°C)
4.1 in
April
61°F (16°C)
3.2 in
Driest
May
69°F (20°C)
4.5 in
June
76°F (24°C)
4.8 in
July
80°F (27°C)
6.7 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (26°C)
6.5 in
September
73°F (23°C)
5.0 in
October
63°F (17°C)
3.2 in
November
55°F (13°C)
3.2 in
December
47°F (8°C)
3.7 in
River Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.7") and April the driest (3.2").