Weather & Climate in Topsail Beach, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Topsail Beach 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. Annual precipitation totals 60.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). 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) |
Geography
| Elevation | -10 ft (-3 m) |
| Area | 4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 101/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3664°N, 77.6476°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pender County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
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 | 114 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 139 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 | 186 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 94 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 75 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 109 mph | 15 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 61 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 52 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 92 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 3 | 115 mph | 290 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 51 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 110 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 236 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 116 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 140 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 110 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 16 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 136 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 6 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 57 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 16 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 188 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
354 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 744 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 94 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 48 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 55 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 96 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 17, 1965 | EF3 | 81 km | 41.3 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 65 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 58 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 65 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 94 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 63 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 2018 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 26, 2013 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 67 km | 5.0 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 | 14 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 18 km |
| 1994 | FISH DAY | 21,772 | 83 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 43 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,807 | 75 km |
| 2009 | CAROLINA BAY | 3,056 | 78 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 23 km |
| 1992 | GREAT LAKE | 2,843 | 75 km |
| 2020 | CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX | 2,783 | 87 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 93 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,462 | 88 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 12 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 64 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 2,027 | 75 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 17 km |
| 2013 | WOODPECKER FIRE | 2,015 | 71 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP27 | 1,894 | 70 km |
| 2020 | CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX | 1,878 | 70 km |
| 2020 | CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX | 1,616 | 71 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 67 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 76°F (24°C) | 5.7 in | |
| July | 80°F (26°C) | 6.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 8.2 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 8.7 in | Wettest |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 3.7 in |
Topsail Beach has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 44°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 60.2 inches, with September being the wettest month (8.7") and April the driest (3.1").