Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Williamston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 301 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 53.2 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 61 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average
43°F (6°C)
July Average
80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
301 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
61 ft (19 m)
Area
1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density
1,143/sq mi
Coordinates
35.8465°N, 77.0661°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Martin County County
Nearest Airport
Northeastern Regional (EDE) 30 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.2"
40% above US avg
Snowfall0.5"
Wettest Month (Jul)5.31"
Driest Month (Nov)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
65.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
62.7 / 100
Community Resilience
57.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Very Low
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
87 km
0 km
Feb 11, 2014
7 km NW of Hobucken, North Carolina
M2.9
73 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
253 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
149 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
176 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
160 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
114 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
79 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
165 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
164 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
272 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
8 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
205 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
29 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
98 mph
240 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
84 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
164 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
106 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
269 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
192 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
199 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
93 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
425 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 48 fatalities, 599 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
86 km
28.0 mi
16
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
68 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
84 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
75 km
13.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF3
17 km
10.0 mi
2
Apr 25, 2014
EF3
38 km
21.0 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
29 km
17.9 mi
12
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
88 km
20.4 mi
0
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
78 km
8.2 mi
1
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
67 km
14.0 mi
2
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
34 km
6.0 mi
6
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
60 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
51 km
8.5 mi
0
Jul 4, 1967
EF3
90 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 17, 1965
EF3
95 km
41.3 mi
2
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
64 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
94 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
72 km
9.5 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
89 km
15.9 mi
0
Apr 25, 2014
EF2
37 km
37.5 mi
1
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
75 km
2008
EVANS ROAD
41,560
67 km
2011
LATERAL WEST
6,188
96 km
2008
SOUTH 1
5,940
96 km
2023
LAST RESORT
4,974
64 km
2006
BELL ISLAND CENTRAL UNIT 2 1 2
3,307
79 km
2020
CRO BRIERY BRANCH C-5/6 RX
2,783
98 km
2016
UNNAMED
2,462
97 km
2009
2-1-3 BELL ISLAND SOUTH
2,297
80 km
2000
ROY WATSON 2
1,973
82 km
2022
FEREBEE ROAD
1,954
61 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
87 km
2002
BELL SLOP
1,818
76 km
1991
UNNAMED
1,399
73 km
1991
TRIANGLE
1,387
47 km
2006
MARSH ISLAND 2.3.3B
1,372
90 km
2016
UNNAMED
1,371
93 km
2009
2 1 1 NORTH BELL ISLAND FY 09
1,365
75 km
1998
SE BLOCKS
1,278
97 km
1985
UNNAMED
1,091
79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
43°F (6°C)
4.1 in
Coldest
February
44°F (6°C)
3.7 in
March
51°F (11°C)
4.0 in
April
59°F (15°C)
3.2 in
May
67°F (20°C)
4.3 in
June
75°F (24°C)
4.4 in
July
80°F (27°C)
5.3 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
77°F (25°C)
5.2 in
September
72°F (22°C)
4.1 in
October
61°F (16°C)
3.2 in
November
53°F (12°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
45°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Williamston has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and November the driest (2.8").