Weather & Climate in South Bethany, DE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Bethany enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches. The area receives 10.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. 82% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,006/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5163°N, 75.0581°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Sussex County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 81.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 94.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 54 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 98 mph | 284 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 92 mph | 170 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 2 | 92 mph | 164 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 47 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 86 mph | 261 km |
| 2002 | Gustav | Category 1 | - | 293 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | - | 212 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 213 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 198 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 150 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 125 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 50 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
112 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 58 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 57 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 55 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 76 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 47 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 91 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1992 | EF2 | 69 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1984 | EF2 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1983 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 9, 1977 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1971 | EF2 | 46 km | 28.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 27, 1967 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1956 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1955 | EF2 | 2 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2021 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2021 | EF1 | 53 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2021 | EF1 | 62 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF1 | 85 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF1 | 54 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF1 | 78 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | - | - | 143 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BESTPITCH | 7,743 | 83 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 90 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 88 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 86 km |
| 2007 | GUINEA MARSH | 4,173 | 81 km |
| 2009 | DOCTORS CREEK | 3,686 | 81 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 87 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 87 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 88 km |
| 2005 | ISLAND CREEK | 2,729 | 80 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,156 | 80 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 82 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 81 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 90 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 89 km |
| 1988 | SLAU BCH 2 | 1,578 | 47 km |
| 2020 | SPLIT DITCH | 1,518 | 89 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 93 km |
| 2014 | RAILROAD | 1,431 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 in |
South Bethany has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.6 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (3.0").