Weather & Climate in Simpson, NC

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

Simpson enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°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 53.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 61 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	62.1°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	61 ft (19 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²)
Population Density	1,049/sq mi
Coordinates	35.5753°N, 77.2790°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Pitt County County
Nearest Airport	Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.4"

41% above US avg

Snowfall 3.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 5.71"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.91"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	89.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	42.2 / 100
Community Resilience	77.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
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	69 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	67 km	4 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

22 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	217 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	104 mph	140 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	109 mph	143 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	86 mph	152 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	115 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	88 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	145 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	160 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	236 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	36 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	193 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	46 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	98 mph	227 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	63 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	135 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	70 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	86 mph	254 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	202 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	210 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	100 km

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

Tornado History

454 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 49 fatalities, 797 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	53 km	28.0 mi	16
Sep 27, 2024	EF3	65 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	63 km	6.5 mi	1
Jul 19, 2023	EF3	72 km	13.5 mi	0
Aug 3, 2020	EF3	49 km	10.0 mi	2
Apr 25, 2014	EF3	16 km	21.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	56 km	20.4 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	64 km	17.9 mi	12
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	94 km	3.8 mi	0
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	61 km	8.2 mi	1
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	70 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	62 km	6.0 mi	6
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	27 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	22 km	8.5 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	64 km	41.3 mi	2
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	45 km	46.9 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	77 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	40 km	9.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	75 km	33.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	12 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: ALLAN ROAD (110,696 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	ALLAN ROAD	110,696	93 km
2008	EVANS ROAD	41,560	85 km
1994	FISH DAY	21,772	78 km
1985	UNNAMED	5,807	97 km
2023	LAST RESORT	4,974	85 km
2006	BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2	3,307	84 km
2009	CAROLINA BAY	3,056	96 km
1995	UNNAMED	3,042	99 km
1992	GREAT LAKE	2,843	82 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	72 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	71 km
1989	UNNAMED	2,420	97 km
2009	2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH	2,297	84 km
2002	BT-11	2,193	99 km
2006	UNNAMED	2,027	94 km
2013	WOODPECKER FIRE	2,015	96 km
2000	ROY WATSON 2	1,973	77 km
2022	FEREBEE ROAD	1,954	78 km
2010	BURNCOMP27	1,894	98 km
2020	CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX	1,878	97 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	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	52°F (11°C)	4.0 in
April	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.6 in
July	81°F (27°C)	5.6 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	5.7 in	Wettest
September	73°F (23°C)	4.3 in
October	62°F (17°C)	3.1 in
November	53°F (12°C)	2.9 in	Driest
December	45°F (7°C)	3.4 in

Simpson has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.7") and November the driest (2.9").

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