Retirement Lists

Climate in Wilmington, North Carolina

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Aerial view of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, showcasing urban architecture and skyline.
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Wilmington climate

Wilmington’s warm coastal climate makes flood, storm, humidity, and insurance planning central

NWS Wilmington 1991 to 2020 station normals show a 74.4°F average annual high, 64.4°F mean temperature, 54.4°F average low, about 60.15 inches of precipitation, and about 45 days reaching 90°F. The reference station is Wilmington International Airport, not every city block. The catalog snapshot is 29.3°C, 74 percent humidity, and AQI 92.

New Hanover County hazard sources identify flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and wildfires. The City flood map shows 100-year, 500-year, and coastal zones. Review storm surge, roof, windows, drainage, trees, power, cooling, humidity, flood and wind coverage, evacuation, Riverwalk access, and the trip to care. A station normal does not answer an address-level insurance or flood question.

Living through the seasons

Wilmington’s station normals point to warm summers and substantial precipitation, while current humidity, AQI, flood, storm, and insurance conditions need separate checks.

Overall Comfort
Very Good

3.7 / 5

Average Summer High
87°F

Warm · 87°F

Days Above 90°F
18 days/year

Excellent

Summer Feel
Very Good

4.1 / 5

Average Winter Low
44°F / 7°C

Very Good

Days Below Freezing
7 days/year

Excellent

Winter Feel
Very Good

3.9 / 5

The shape of the year

Humidity, comfortable months, and sunshine show how the seasons differ.

Humidity
80%

Good

Comfortable Months
7 months

Good

Solar Exposure
1679 peak sun hrs/yr

Fair

Air, allergies, and weather

Air quality and allergies shape day to day comfort. The best months and weather risks help with timing.

Air and allergies

Air Quality
Excellent

4.7 / 5

Allergy Levels
Poor

Current AQI

Checking…

Current PM2.5

Checking…

Timing and weather

Long Term Fine Particle Pollution
6.1 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average

Good · 6.1 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average

Best Months
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
Toughest Months
Aug, Jul
Heat Risk
Low

Very Good

Drought Risk
Low
Weather Volatility
Strong

3.6 / 5

Wilmington in everyday life

Could Wilmington work for you?

What may work well

  • NWS provides 1991 to 2020 Wilmington station normals and a direct current forecast route.
  • The City and County maintain flood, storm, hazard, trail, Riverwalk, and recreation information.
  • Warm-season parks and coastal routes can be paired with indoor choices across weather changes.

What to think about

  • Coastal flooding, hurricanes, storm surge, wind, humidity, rain, power, and insurance can change comfort and cost.
  • The station normals are not a parcel result, and current flood, surge, insurance, allergy, and utility resilience need direct checks.
  • Riverwalk and outdoor access can change during decking work, storms, rain, heat, or flooding.

Plan Wilmington for heat, rain, flood, storms, and power

  1. Visit in heat and storm season

    Notice humidity, shade, drainage, flood signs, parking, trail surface, Riverwalk access, cooling, power, and the route to care.

  2. Price the home climate

    Ask about air conditioning, roof, windows, trees, drainage, power backup, flood and wind coverage, insurance, storm supplies, and summer bills.

  3. Check the parcel

    Use the City flood map and County hazard material for the exact property, then ask about surge, zone, drainage, evacuation, road, and care access.

  4. Keep an indoor calendar

    Pair parks, trails, Riverwalk, pools, golf, and senior programs with indoor care, shopping, transit, home connection, and storm-day plans.

Questions retirees ask

What is Wilmington weather like?

NWS 1991 to 2020 station normals show a 74.4°F average annual high, 64.4°F mean temperature, 54.4°F average low, about 60.15 inches of precipitation, and about 45 days reaching 90°F. The catalog snapshot is 29.3°C, 74 percent humidity, and AQI 92. Check current conditions and the parcel.

Does Wilmington have flood or hurricane risk?

County sources identify flooding and hurricanes, and the City flood map shows 100-year, 500-year, and coastal zones. Review the exact property, surge, drainage, roof, trees, wind and flood coverage, evacuation, power, and care route.

What should a Wilmington home have for summer?

Review cooling, shade, roof, windows, trees, drainage, power reliability, humidity, water, storm supplies, insurance, flood and wind coverage, trail access, pharmacy, and care routes.

Can I use Wilmington trails year-round?

The City lists trails, Riverwalk, parks, and pools, but heat, humidity, rain, hurricanes, flood, decking work, shade, surface, parking, and access can change the practical calendar. Check current conditions and a shorter indoor option.

Wilmington’s climate choice is a coastal home and route decision: heat, humidity, rain, storms, flood, wind, insurance, power, and care access need direct review. Visit in difficult weather before deciding.

Sources

Climate comfort helps estimate how practical daily life may feel across the year, especially for heat, humidity, cold, and seasonal constraints.

Seasonal timing, health conditions, air conditioning, air quality, and elevation can change the lived experience.

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How this city research is made

Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.