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Weather & Climate in Wilmington, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wilmington enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 52°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 312 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 59.0 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 46 feet.
Temperature
52°F Jan (11°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 64.7°F |
| 20% above US avg | |
| January Average | 52°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 312 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 53.0 sq mi (137.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,308/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.2092°N, 77.8858°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | New Hanover County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilmington International (ILM) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 19.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (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 | 141 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
25 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 | 158 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 66 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 72 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 3 | 109 mph | 8 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 64 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 59 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 110 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 49 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 113 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 208 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 88 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 168 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 101 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 42 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 134 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 20 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 36 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 13 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 200 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 249 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
299 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 609 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 99 km | 21.0 mi | 3 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 66 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 36 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 100 km | 25.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF3 | 71 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2024 | EF2 | 58 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 41 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 91 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 66 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2014 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 100 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 91 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 94 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 2004 | EF2 | 21 km | 5.0 mi | 3 |
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 | 36 km |
| 2011 | JUNIPER ROAD | 31,511 | 39 km |
| 2009 | HIGHWAY 31 | 17,004 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 7,944 | 54 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,970 | 43 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 88 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 92 km |
| 2020 | TRAM ROAD/GRASSY ROAD | 2,076 | 34 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 36 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 12 km |
| 2013 | WOODPECKER FIRE | 2,015 | 99 km |
| 2010 | BURNCOMP27 | 1,894 | 98 km |
| 2020 | CRO PETTIFORD CREEK - C-29/30/31 RX | 1,878 | 98 km |
| 2020 | CRO HUNTERS CREEK C-37 RX | 1,616 | 99 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,602 | 95 km |
| 2014 | SHAKEN CREEK | 1,469 | 48 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 35 km |
| 2020 | CRO LONG POINT C-39/40 RX | 1,448 | 95 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,319 | 88 km |
| 2011 | SR8 | 1,311 | 51 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 7.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.9 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 5.9 in | |
| October | 65°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 56°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 49°F (9°C) | 3.7 in |
Wilmington has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 48°F in February to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (7.8") and October the driest (2.8").