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Weather & Climate in Waves, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Waves enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 302 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 61.6 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 7 feet.
Temperature
47°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.5°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 47°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 216/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.5659°N, 75.4655°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Dare County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dare County Regional (MEO) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
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 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Feb 11, 2014 | 7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina | M2.9 | 110 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 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 | 43 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 109 mph | 198 km |
| 2017 | Maria | Category 1 | 75 mph | 238 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 76 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 26 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 76 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 104 mph | 154 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 97 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 38 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 99 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 122 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 89 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 98 mph | 153 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 47 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 271 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 204 km |
| 1995 | Felix | Category 1 | 81 mph | 232 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 86 mph | 209 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 51 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 52 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
93 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 31 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 17, 1952 | EF3 | 44 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1999 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 1990 | EF2 | 40 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 1988 | EF2 | 91 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1987 | EF2 | 39 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1986 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1982 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1978 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1960 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1952 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2018 | EF1 | 77 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2017 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 7, 2014 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 2011 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2011 | EF1 | 98 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF1 | 68 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF1 | 74 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 2006 | EF1 | 81 km | 2.0 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 | 73 km |
| 2008 | EVANS ROAD | 41,560 | 81 km |
| 2011 | PAINS BAY | 40,218 | 35 km |
| 2016 | WHIPPING CREEK ROAD | 12,512 | 40 km |
| 2023 | LAST RESORT | 4,974 | 84 km |
| 2009 | 2-2-1 ROANOKE MARSHES | 4,953 | 41 km |
| 2006 | BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2 | 3,307 | 84 km |
| 2017 | NCALR FY17 RX A 2.2 | 3,303 | 39 km |
| 2003 | ROANOKE MARSH 2 2 5 A | 3,156 | 39 km |
| 2006 | ROANOKE MARSHES - 2.2.5 | 3,139 | 39 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 98 km |
| 1999 | LSR 2 5 6 | 2,629 | 31 km |
| 2009 | SW MASHOES | 2,499 | 55 km |
| 2005 | LONG SHOAL RIVER 2.5.2-5 | 2,333 | 32 km |
| 2003 | FIRST FIRE-CODE 1 | 2,319 | 34 km |
| 2009 | 2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH | 2,297 | 85 km |
| 2000 | QUAD 2 1 2 | 2,068 | 46 km |
| 2022 | FEREBEE ROAD | 1,954 | 88 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,877 | 38 km |
| 2002 | BELL SLOP | 1,818 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 6.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 5.3 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| November | 57°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 4.0 in |
Waves has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.1") and April the driest (3.3").