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Weather & Climate in Tarboro, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tarboro enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 310 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 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 67 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.4°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 67 ft (20 m) |
| Area | 11.2 sq mi (28.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 950/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9052°N, 77.5572°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Edgecombe County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 42.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
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 | 113 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 108 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 | 239 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 185 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 179 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 195 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 156 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 122 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 189 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 201 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 256 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 52 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 237 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 72 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 271 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 108 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 130 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 101 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 298 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 236 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 244 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 135 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
408 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 645 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 67 km | 28.0 mi | 16 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 23 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 46 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 31 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 60 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF3 | 59 km | 21.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 58 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 37 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 99 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 93 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 84 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 41 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 4, 1977 | EF3 | 47 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1972 | EF3 | 36 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1957 | EF3 | 29 km | 46.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 51 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 53 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 97 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 80 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 48 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,399 | 78 km |
| 1991 | TRIANGLE | 1,387 | 92 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 43 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX SOUTH PUNGO | 979 | 93 km |
| 2004 | PUNGO SOUTH RX | 967 | 93 km |
| 2010 | RX SOUTH PUNGO EAST | 962 | 95 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 945 | 93 km |
| 2015 | NCPOR FY15 RX CENTRAL PUNGO | 783 | 93 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (6°C) | 3.2 in |
Tarboro has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.8") and November the driest (2.8").