Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sneads Ferry enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°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 56.5 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 6 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.6°F
18% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
6 ft (2 m)
Area
5.8 sq mi (15.1 km²)
Population Density
673/sq mi
Coordinates
34.5552°N, 77.3776°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Onslow County County
Nearest Airport
Wilmington International (ILM) 36 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall56.5"
49% above US avg
Snowfall0.6"
Wettest Month (Jul)7.52"
Driest Month (Apr)3.07"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
95.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
14.4 / 100
Community Resilience
40.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Very High
Earthquake
Relatively 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 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
81 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
107 km
4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
26 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
219 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
126 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
67 km
2018
Florence
Category 3
115 mph
31 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
73 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
62 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
73 km
2010
Earl
Category 2
104 mph
273 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
53 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
98 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
269 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
148 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
108 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
109 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
21 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
134 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
13 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
76 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
30 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
86 mph
180 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
390 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 35 fatalities, 794 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
94 km
28.0 mi
16
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
97 km
21.0 mi
3
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
99 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
20 km
3.8 mi
0
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
83 km
2.2 mi
8
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
86 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
52 km
41.3 mi
2
Apr 8, 1957
EF3
71 km
8.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
72 km
4.7 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF2
95 km
8.3 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
32 km
13.0 mi
0
Nov 24, 2018
EF2
44 km
2.8 mi
0
Sep 8, 2014
EF2
57 km
0.2 mi
0
Nov 26, 2013
EF2
57 km
0.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
55 km
2.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
55 km
4.1 mi
0
May 11, 2008
EF2
37 km
5.0 mi
0
Aug 13, 2004
EF2
49 km
5.0 mi
3
Sep 15, 1999
EF2
44 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1999
EF2
68 km
30.0 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
30 km
2011
JUNIPER ROAD
31,511
28 km
1994
FISH DAY
21,772
51 km
1994
UNNAMED
7,944
49 km
1985
UNNAMED
5,807
43 km
1986
UNNAMED
4,031
98 km
2007
TRAINING FIRE
3,843
93 km
2024
HIGHWAY 12
3,502
98 km
2009
CAROLINA BAY
3,056
46 km
1995
UNNAMED
3,042
95 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,970
31 km
1992
GREAT LAKE
2,843
43 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
55 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
56 km
1989
UNNAMED
2,420
91 km
2002
BT-11
2,193
94 km
2020
TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD
2,076
30 km
1993
UNNAMED
2,073
96 km
2006
UNNAMED
2,027
43 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,024
49 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
February
47°F (8°C)
4.0 in
March
54°F (12°C)
4.0 in
April
62°F (16°C)
3.1 in
Driest
May
69°F (21°C)
4.3 in
June
76°F (24°C)
5.2 in
July
81°F (27°C)
7.5 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (26°C)
6.7 in
September
74°F (23°C)
5.6 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.1 in
November
56°F (13°C)
3.2 in
December
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
Sneads Ferry has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 46°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.5") and April the driest (3.1").