Weather & Climate in Stokes, NC

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

Stokes 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 45 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	45 ft (14 m)
Area	4.4 sq mi (11.5 km²)
Population Density	45/sq mi
Coordinates	35.7105°N, 77.2676°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Pitt County County
Nearest Airport	Kinston Regional Jetport At Stallings Field (ISO) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.4"

41% above US avg

Snowfall 3.3"

Wettest Month (Aug) 5.43"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.83"

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	81 km	0 km
Feb 11, 2014	7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina	M2.9	74 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	231 km
2019	Dorian	Category 2	104 mph	152 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	109 mph	158 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	81 mph	161 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	124 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	91 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	158 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	167 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	250 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	26 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	206 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	42 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	98 mph	238 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	76 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	142 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	85 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	86 mph	266 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	204 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	215 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	103 km

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

Tornado History

440 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 49 fatalities, 730 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	63 km	28.0 mi	16
Sep 27, 2024	EF3	56 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 8, 2024	EF3	63 km	6.5 mi	1
Jul 19, 2023	EF3	64 km	13.5 mi	0
Aug 3, 2020	EF3	39 km	10.0 mi	2
Apr 25, 2014	EF3	26 km	21.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	51 km	17.9 mi	12
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	65 km	20.4 mi	0
Nov 15, 2008	EF3	59 km	8.2 mi	1
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	47 km	6.0 mi	6
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	89 km	14.0 mi	2
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	81 km	9.0 mi	0
Mar 4, 1977	EF3	36 km	4.9 mi	0
May 15, 1972	EF3	27 km	8.5 mi	0
Mar 17, 1965	EF3	79 km	41.3 mi	2
Nov 8, 1957	EF3	44 km	46.9 mi	0
Mar 15, 1953	EF3	75 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 7, 2024	EF2	48 km	9.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	64 km	33.5 mi	0
Apr 25, 2014	EF2	27 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	91 km
2008	EVANS ROAD	41,560	83 km
1994	FISH DAY	21,772	92 km
2023	LAST RESORT	4,974	82 km
2006	BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2	3,307	88 km
1992	GREAT LAKE	2,843	96 km
2020	CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX	2,783	86 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,462	85 km
2009	2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH	2,297	88 km
2000	ROY WATSON 2	1,973	84 km
2022	FEREBEE ROAD	1,954	76 km
2008	LYNCH ROAD	1,824	82 km
2002	BELL SLOP	1,818	85 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,399	54 km
1991	TRIANGLE	1,387	63 km
2006	MARSH ISLAND 2.3.3B	1,372	98 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,371	80 km
2009	2 1 1 NORTH BELL ISLAND FY 09	1,365	84 km
2008	SYCAMORE SHORES	1,044	69 km
2009	2 1 2 CENTRAL BELL ISLAND RX FY 09 B	1,033	87 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	3.7 in
March	51°F (11°C)	4.0 in
April	60°F (15°C)	3.3 in
May	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.5 in
July	81°F (27°C)	5.3 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	5.4 in	Wettest
September	72°F (22°C)	4.3 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.1 in
November	53°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	45°F (7°C)	3.3 in

Stokes has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.4") and November the driest (2.8").

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