Outer Banks Weather

The Outer Banks offer a temperate climate, meaning the region has mild summers and winters and the temperature variation between the two seasons is not as severe as can be found in other parts of the country. The warm, comfortable summers, with high temperatures typically in the 80s, allow visitors of Outer Banks house rentals to relax at the beach and to swim in the warm ocean waters, which are in the 70s from June to October and can reach up to 80 degrees in August.

Along with typically beautiful weather, summer in the Outer Banks can also mean severe weather and rainy days. Although some summer months see more than 6 inches of rain, the storms are usually brief and will leave behind clear, blue skies after they have passed. In addition to regular rainy afternoons, hurricane season comes to the Outer Banks from June 1 to November 30, with the most susceptible period historically from late August to September, so be sure to stay up-to-date on the weather conditions before setting out an Outer Banks summer retreat.

Although the Gulf Stream is approximately 50 miles offshore, it moderates the Outer Banks winter and creates warmer than expected temperatures as warm water eddies spin off the Gulf Stream. Due to this warm weather near the coast, the Outer Banks has the lowest average snowfall in the state at about an inch per year. Guests of Outer Banks vacation home rentals will find an average January temperature around 43 degrees and an annual mean temperature around 62 degrees, meaning this region of North Carolina is ideal for a year-round vacation getaway.

MANTEO, NC High Low Rainfall
Jan 52 36 4.7"
Feb 54 37 3.2"
Mar 60 43 4.6"
Apr 69 51 3.1"
May 76 60 4.2"
June 83 68 4.8"
July 86 72 5.3"
Aug 85 72 5.6"
Sept 81 67 4.9"
Oct 71 57 4.1"
Nov 63 48 3.4"
Dec 55 40 3.7"
Annual 70 54 51.6"
Weather data courtesy of NOAA

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