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Weather & Climate in Sunset Beach, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sunset Beach 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 308 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 48.5 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 26 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.0°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 7.3 sq mi (19.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 640/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.8948°N, 78.5050°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Horry County County |
| Nearest Airport | Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
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 | 86 mph | 92 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 1 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 79 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 15 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 36 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 79 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 167 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 86 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 143 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 142 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 21 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 235 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 116 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 48 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 148 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 75 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 47 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 50 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 245 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 244 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
284 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 374 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 83 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 2 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 55 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 66 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 17 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 32 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 51 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 70 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 3 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 76 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 14, 2008 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2004 | EF2 | 80 km | 5.0 mi | 3 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2001 | EF2 | 41 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1999 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF2 | 51 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.7 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 | 100 km |
| 2009 | HIGHWAY 31 | 17,004 | 33 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,111 | 77 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 25 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 98 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 35 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 78 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 88 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,870 | 66 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 1,683 | 67 km |
| 2002 | LEGENDS | 1,666 | 48 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 33 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,335 | 78 km |
| 2011 | WOLF ISLAND | 1,310 | 94 km |
| 2008 | EDNA BUCK ROAD | 1,256 | 80 km |
| 2009 | JOE BAY | 1,124 | 68 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 1,109 | 93 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,077 | 35 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,005 | 25 km |
| 2007 | EAST PENDER COMPLEX | 986 | 86 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 | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 74°F (24°C) | 5.8 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 in |
Sunset Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.6") and April the driest (2.9").