Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sea Breeze enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°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 65.1 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 8 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
64.1°F
19% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
302 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
8 ft (2 m)
Area
2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density
931/sq mi
Coordinates
34.0675°N, 77.8923°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
New Hanover County County
Nearest Airport
Wilmington International (ILM) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall65.1"
71% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)7.20"
Driest Month (Apr)2.99"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
96.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
19.0 / 100
Community Resilience
90.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Very High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
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
86 mph
148 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
59 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
61 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
109 mph
4 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
50 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
55 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
110 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
41 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
105 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
198 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
80 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
178 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
87 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
31 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
121 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
19 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
21 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
27 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
195 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
252 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
260 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 19 fatalities, 394 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 15, 2021
EF3
60 km
21.9 mi
3
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
88 km
3.8 mi
0
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
44 km
2.2 mi
8
Aug 17, 1965
EF3
76 km
0.3 mi
0
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
87 km
8.0 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
66 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
72 km
4.7 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF2
25 km
8.3 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
58 km
9.3 mi
0
Sep 8, 2014
EF2
85 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
98 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 6, 2009
EF2
77 km
1.4 mi
0
Mar 28, 2009
EF2
89 km
1.6 mi
0
Aug 13, 2004
EF2
37 km
5.0 mi
3
Jul 6, 2001
EF2
100 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1999
EF2
98 km
30.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1996
EF2
93 km
1.5 mi
0
Apr 15, 1996
EF2
95 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1996
EF2
95 km
0.8 mi
0
Nov 7, 1995
EF2
78 km
0.7 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
50 km
2011
JUNIPER ROAD
31,511
54 km
2009
HIGHWAY 31
17,004
93 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
70 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,970
58 km
2001
UNNAMED
2,204
85 km
2020
TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD
2,076
48 km
1993
UNNAMED
2,073
25 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,024
27 km
2014
SHAKEN CREEK
1,469
63 km
2016
CLEMMONS ROAD
1,468
27 km
2011
SR8
1,311
65 km
2011
WOLF ISLAND
1,310
44 km
2022
JUNIPER ROAD TWO
1,307
56 km
1993
UNNAMED
1,293
56 km
2010
BURNCOMP43
1,259
77 km
2008
EDNA BUCK ROAD
1,256
32 km
2007
UNNAMED
1,201
88 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,077
95 km
2010
BURNCOMP48
1,061
76 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
48°F (9°C)
3.9 in
March
55°F (13°C)
4.2 in
April
62°F (17°C)
3.0 in
Driest
May
70°F (21°C)
4.2 in
June
76°F (25°C)
5.4 in
July
82°F (28°C)
7.2 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
79°F (26°C)
7.2 in
September
74°F (24°C)
7.1 in
October
65°F (18°C)
3.3 in
November
57°F (14°C)
3.3 in
December
49°F (9°C)
3.9 in
Sea Breeze has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 46°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.2") and April the driest (3.0").