Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Salvo enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 61.6 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 5 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
64.5°F
19% above US avg
January Average
47°F (8°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
302 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
5 ft (2 m)
Area
1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²)
Population Density
226/sq mi
Coordinates
35.5485°N, 75.4682°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Dare County County
Nearest Airport
Dare County Regional (MEO) 29 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall61.6"
62% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)6.14"
Driest Month (Apr)3.31"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
89.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
45.2 / 100
Community Resilience
99.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
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
130 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
109 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
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
41 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
109 mph
196 km
2017
Maria
Category 1
75 mph
238 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
74 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
28 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
76 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
104 mph
154 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
95 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
37 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
98 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
122 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
87 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
152 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
48 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
270 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
203 km
1995
Felix
Category 1
81 mph
232 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
207 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
51 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
52 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
91 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 31 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Sep 17, 1952
EF3
46 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 26, 2011
EF2
80 km
0.5 mi
0
Oct 17, 1999
EF2
98 km
0.2 mi
0
Nov 10, 1990
EF2
38 km
12.0 mi
0
Nov 17, 1988
EF2
92 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 31, 1987
EF2
37 km
10.0 mi
0
Jun 17, 1986
EF2
65 km
0.5 mi
0
Sep 28, 1982
EF2
54 km
0.3 mi
0
Jul 31, 1978
EF2
57 km
0.2 mi
1
May 27, 1960
EF2
60 km
0.1 mi
0
May 20, 1952
EF2
83 km
1.5 mi
0
Sep 13, 2018
EF1
76 km
3.2 mi
0
May 23, 2017
EF1
63 km
0.6 mi
0
Apr 7, 2014
EF1
97 km
1.3 mi
0
Sep 29, 2011
EF1
80 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 26, 2011
EF1
97 km
4.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF1
69 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF1
75 km
7.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF1
73 km
0.7 mi
0
May 14, 2006
EF1
82 km
2.0 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
74 km
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
82 km
2011
PAINS BAY
40,218
35 km
2016
WHIPPING CREEK ROAD
12,512
41 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
84 km
2009
2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES
4,953
42 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
83 km
2017
NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2
3,303
41 km
2003
ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A
3,156
40 km
2006
ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5
3,139
41 km
1999
NORTH RIVER
3,055
100 km
1999
LSR 2 5 6
2,629
31 km
2009
SW MASHOES
2,499
56 km
2005
LONG SHOAL RIVER 2.5.2-5
2,333
32 km
2003
FIRST FIRE-CODE 1
2,319
35 km
2009
2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH
2,297
84 km
2000
QUAD 2 1 2
2,068
47 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
88 km
1990
UNNAMED
1,877
40 km
2002
BELL SLOP
1,818
84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
47°F (8°C)
4.9 in
February
45°F (7°C)
3.8 in
Coldest
March
52°F (11°C)
4.5 in
April
58°F (15°C)
3.3 in
Driest
May
66°F (19°C)
4.1 in
June
74°F (23°C)
4.3 in
July
81°F (27°C)
5.2 in
Warmest
August
78°F (26°C)
6.1 in
Wettest
September
74°F (23°C)
5.3 in
October
65°F (18°C)
4.6 in
November
57°F (14°C)
4.3 in
December
50°F (10°C)
4.0 in
Salvo has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.1") and April the driest (3.3").