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Weather & Climate in River Road, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
River Road 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 52.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 8 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.6°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 8 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 7.1 sq mi (18.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 496/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5084°N, 76.9871°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Beaufort County County |
| Nearest Airport | Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| 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 | 49 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 40 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 226 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 119 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 142 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 86 mph | 127 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 92 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 62 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 278 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 128 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 134 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 246 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 32 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 176 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 27 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 205 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 46 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 150 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 79 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 233 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 175 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 184 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
485 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 49 fatalities, 752 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 75 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 97 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 43 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 12 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 64 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 79 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 89 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 72 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 99 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 51 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 49 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 60 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 72 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 64 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 95 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2018 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | ALLAN ROAD | 110,696 | 69 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 61 km |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 67 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 99 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,807 | 85 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 62 km |
| 2005 | WEST MARSH UNIT 3.3.1 | 4,867 | 84 km |
| 2015 | NCCDR FY15 RX WEST MARSH | 4,751 | 85 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 4,031 | 85 km |
| 2007 | TRAINING FIRE | 3,843 | 78 km |
| 2007 | 3 4 1 RUMLEYS MARSH FY 07 | 3,556 | 88 km |
| 2024 | HIGHWAY 12 | 3,502 | 85 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 57 km |
| 2022 | NCCDR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 3,113 | 85 km |
| 2009 | CAROLINA BAY | 3,056 | 84 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,042 | 76 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 73 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 61 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 60 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 2,420 | 74 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) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 5.8 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in |
River Road has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and November the driest (3.1").