Weather & Climate in St. Helena, NC

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

St. Helena 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 57.2 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 55 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	62.0°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	55 ft (17 m)
Area	5.6 sq mi (14.6 km²)
Population Density	103/sq mi
Coordinates	34.5166°N, 77.9174°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Pender County County
Nearest Airport	Wilmington International (ILM) 17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.2"

51% above US avg

Snowfall 0.7"

Wettest Month (Jul) 7.87"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.72"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.2 / 100
Community Resilience	65.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively 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	122 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	146 km	4 km

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

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	81 mph	180 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	87 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	103 km
2018	Florence	Category 3	109 mph	37 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	89 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	81 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	121 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	79 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	139 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	229 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	107 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	153 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	133 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	29 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	165 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	24 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	28 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	20 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	81 mph	218 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	249 km

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

Tornado History

393 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 55 fatalities, 1,062 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	91 km	28.0 mi	16
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	67 km	21.0 mi	3
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	87 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	55 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	94 km	20.4 mi	0
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	36 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	94 km	40.0 mi	12
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	76 km	9.0 mi	0
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	72 km	25.8 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	83 km	41.3 mi	2
Apr 8, 1957	EF3	38 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	74 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	28 km	4.7 mi	0
Aug 3, 2020	EF2	75 km	8.3 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	81 km	13.0 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	88 km	9.3 mi	0
Nov 24, 2018	EF2	93 km	2.8 mi	0
Sep 8, 2014	EF2	35 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	96 km	4.1 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	77 km	29.9 mi	3

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	21 km
2011	JUNIPER ROAD	31,511	21 km
1994	FISH DAY	21,772	93 km
1994	UNNAMED	7,944	20 km
1985	UNNAMED	5,807	91 km
2009	CAROLINA BAY	3,056	93 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,970	20 km
1992	GREAT LAKE	2,843	85 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	95 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	63 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	96 km
2020	TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD	2,076	22 km
1993	UNNAMED	2,073	65 km
2006	UNNAMED	2,027	90 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,024	26 km
2013	WOODPECKER FIRE	2,015	86 km
2010	BURNCOMP27	1,894	85 km
2020	CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX	1,878	85 km
2020	CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX	1,616	83 km
2006	UNNAMED	1,602	77 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	47°F (8°C)	3.8 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.1 in
April	61°F (16°C)	3.0 in
May	69°F (21°C)	4.5 in
June	76°F (24°C)	5.4 in
July	81°F (27°C)	7.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	78°F (26°C)	6.4 in
September	74°F (23°C)	5.0 in
October	63°F (17°C)	2.7 in	Driest
November	55°F (13°C)	3.0 in
December	47°F (8°C)	3.5 in

St. Helena has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.9") and October the driest (2.7").

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