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Weather & Climate in Sunbury, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sunbury 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 299 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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 33 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 | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 33 ft (10 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 108/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.4469°N, 76.6127°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Gates County County |
| Nearest Airport | Franklin Regional (FKN) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very 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: M2.9.
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 105 km | 1 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 128 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 166 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 252 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 202 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 123 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 67 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 284 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 208 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 180 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 80 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 223 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 60 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 284 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 96 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 234 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 184 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 176 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 187 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 73 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 145 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 276 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
344 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 32 fatalities, 480 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 68 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 67 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 79 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 30 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 100 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 12 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 62 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 98 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 12 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 40 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 47 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 44 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 45 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 98 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 30 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 40 km | 22.6 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 | 89 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 87 km |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 18 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 17 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 82 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 57 km |
| 2009 | SW MASHOES | 2,499 | 89 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 26 km |
| 2000 | QUAD 2 1 2 | 2,068 | 97 km |
| 2022 | FEREBEE ROAD | 1,954 | 88 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 60 km |
| 2007 | 2-1-2 QUADRANGLE | 1,518 | 97 km |
| 2010 | 1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10 | 1,506 | 61 km |
| 2005 | 1.1.2 NORTH MARSH | 1,418 | 61 km |
| 1991 | TRIANGLE | 1,387 | 83 km |
| 2005 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH | 1,338 | 59 km |
| 2004 | QUAD 2 1 2 | 1,298 | 96 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 20 km |
| 1999 | SPENCER 1 | 1,185 | 100 km |
| 1994 | UNIT 5 | 1,148 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.4 in |
Sunbury has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.5") and November the driest (2.9").