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Weather & Climate in Surf City, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Surf City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of -10 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
80°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 62.1°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | -10 ft (-3 m) |
| Area | 9.5 sq mi (24.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 541/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.4373°N, 77.5349°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pender County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 126 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
26 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 | 199 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 107 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 69 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 109 mph | 16 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 64 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 53 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 85 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 283 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 49 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 108 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 249 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 129 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 127 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 115 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 9 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 133 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 8 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 64 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 17 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 183 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
367 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 20 fatalities, 613 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 94 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 36 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 66 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 91 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 69 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 66 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 62 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 76 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 51 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2018 | EF2 | 62 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 2013 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 55 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2004 | EF2 | 32 km | 5.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 15, 1999 | EF2 | 62 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 1999 | EF2 | 69 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1996 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.0 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 | 16 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 17 km |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 70 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 43 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,807 | 62 km |
| 2009 | CAROLINA BAY | 3,056 | 65 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 22 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 62 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 75 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 99 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 75 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 15 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 76 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,027 | 62 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 30 km |
| 2013 | WOODPECKER FIRE | 2,015 | 58 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP27 | 1,894 | 57 km |
| 2020 | CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX | 1,878 | 57 km |
| 2020 | CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX | 1,616 | 58 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 5.4 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 7.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.8 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 5.6 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in |
Surf City has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.8") and October the driest (3.0").