Wilmington's temperature range is moderate due in large part to its maritime location. Afternoon sea breezes make the summer heat more comfortable. Although there can be some beastly hot days with high humidity, there is nothing to match Florida's excessively relentless summer heat. Afternoon temperatures in this area may reach 90 or more a third of the days in midsummer, but several years may pass without reaching the 100-degree mark. The average temperature in July is 79.8.
Most winters here are short and mild.
Polar air masses heading for the Atlantic Ocean must pass over the Appalachian Mountains first, which takes the bite out of the bitter cold before the air masses reach North Carolina's coastal area. According to records kept since 1870, there is only one entire day each winter when the temperature fails to rise above freezing. The mean temperature in January is 47 degrees. Rainfall in the area is usually ample and well-distributed throughout the year, concentrated mostly in summer thunderstorms between June and August. Retirees who enjoy gardening will appreciate the fact that the growing season may be as long as 302 days for some flowers and vegetables.