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Yeah that's what I essentially said in my first post, but you said "there is a very good database that can provide the info that you seek", so I thought you must know something different. Guess not.
OP can check out Sperlings Best Places which allows you to compare city to city. The section on climate compares days of sunshine, rain and snow...North Carolina generally comes out favorably in the sunshine factor except perhaps with Arizona and Utah.
We moved to coastal NC from No. California and find we get more sunshine here. Those Carolina blue skys are not a myth.
Sure we get rain, but it's not like the monsoons we sometimes got in No. CA during the rainy season. I remember one year when it rained for almost a month straight. Everyone was depressed, lots of mudslides and floods.
Thank you so much for your individual responses. I've done some research (at the websites some of you recommended) and found data I was searching for. Also, several of you have in fact stated that you've endured 1 or 2 days a week of steady rain. OK, so while it does appear the last year has been fairly wet, and there has been considerable rain, nevertheless, overall you folks in those Coastal NC areas do enjoy lots of tee shirts, shorts and flip flop days. Just for your info, and chuckle ... it is 5 degrees right now where we live in NH, and Wednesday evening January 7, we are looking at a temp of 10 below zero!!! Coastal North Carolina is looking more and more attractive. We are planning on visiting the New Bern, Beaufort, Newport, Swansboro, Sneads Ferry and surrounding areas sometime this February, and make a decision as to whether that NC coastal area is where we want to retire to later this year. A lot of factors will come into play, i.e., cost of homes, location, how close to the beach, what does the area offer for amenities, what kind of stores/malls are nearby, how are the medical facilities, things to do and enjoy, how receptive are locals towards "transplanted Northerners," etc., etc. ... so we've got a lot of research to do when we are there. Again, thank you all for your useful input.
Or just move to Beaufort and settle in. We moved from CA. via Michigan, PA, and other locations and found B'fort a most congenial spot. Heck, I used to vacation as a kid in Wilmot Flat NH near New London, and therefore I know, for a fact, that you will love it here <giggle>
We are planning on visiting the New Bern, Beaufort, Newport, Swansboro, Sneads Ferry and surrounding areas sometime this February, and make a decision as to whether that NC coastal area is where we want to retire to later this year. A lot of factors will come into play, i.e., cost of homes, location, how close to the beach, what does the area offer for amenities, what kind of stores/malls are nearby, how are the medical facilities, things to do and enjoy, how receptive are locals towards "transplanted Northerners," etc., etc. ...
Those are all good choices as far as weather and beaches. They are a little short on medical facilities and shopping, so you might include Wilmington in the decision list.
We retired to Sneads Ferry mainly because it offered a great price on a house and has basic shopping nearby. However, we find that we have to travel to Jacksonville or Wilmington for medical specialists or major shopping.
Status:
"48 years in MD, 18 in NC"
(set 7 days ago)
Location: Greenville, NC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goldenage1
Those are all good choices as far as weather and beaches. They are a little short on medical facilities and shopping, so you might include Wilmington in the decision list.
New Bern is on her list. That wouldn't be too bad as it's only 45 or so minutes to Greenville. Greenville is Medical Central east of I-95.
North Carolina is roughly at 35° latitude. That puts it just about in the middle of the tropical hot south and the arctic frozen north. As a result, those two extremes battle for co-existence over NC generally resulting in mild weather that can fluctuate dramatically for short periods of time.
In the summer expect 90° days with 90% humidity. The forecast almost every day includes at least a 20% chance of rain. These are usually isolated thunder showers that are brief and usually welcome because they lower the temperature.
In the winter the weather is generally mild. Occasional snow, usually just a few inches, sleet and freezing rain is not uncommon in the coldest months of January and February. The "dead of winter' usually comes about the end of January and early February where temperatures may get into the 30's and stay there for a week or two. Any time before and after is usually punctuated with occasional 60° days. By Easter, warm weather and spring is usually in full bloom.
Weather patterns along the coast follow these same patterns with some differences due to the large thermal mass of the Atlantic ocean. That means cold days inland are generally a bit warmer at the coast and hot days inland are generally a bit cooler at the coast. In the evening you typically get onshore breezes. Most weather comes in from the west and often it will stall near the shore line. That means it may be raining 15 miles inland and sunny at the beach. Sure, the beach gets it share of rain, cold, and hot weather but overall I would say the coast fairs better than inland for "mild weather."
There are extremes: Those off shore breezes can be harsh at time, especially if its cold. There are tornadoes/waterspouts and hurricanes. There can be flooding. The ground is low and sandy and doesn't always drain well though you think it would just run into the ocean. It does but it can take time. Water stands in streets and many low lying areas literally have canals along highways that stay full year round and may be several feet deep. Of course there are tidal areas and wet lands.
The coast of North Carolina is a beautiful and fascinating place. Yes it has weather. Is it perfect all the time? No.
Status:
"48 years in MD, 18 in NC"
(set 7 days ago)
Location: Greenville, NC
2,309 posts, read 6,100,090 times
Reputation: 1430
Quote:
Originally Posted by ditchoc
North Carolina is roughly at 35° latitude. That puts it just about in the middle of the tropical hot south and the arctic frozen north. As a result, those two extremes battle for co-existence over NC generally resulting in mild weather that can fluctuate dramatically for short periods of time.
None of what you wrote is generally true for Eastern Carolina as a whole. While it may be true that there is an increased risk of rain along the Crystal Coast in the summer, the rest of Eastern Carolina swings into and out of drought on a regular basis. This whole "article" reads like it was written by someone that has never lived here.
None of what you wrote is generally true for Eastern Carolina as a whole. While it may be true that there is an increased risk of rain along the Crystal Coast in the summer, the rest of Eastern Carolina swings into and out of drought on a regular basis. This whole "article" reads like it was written by someone that has never lived here.
While I am not a meteorologist, I only have my life experience to draw from. Your comment on drought brings to mind a parched waste land. I am 62 years old and have lived in NC all my life. My family has lived in NC for 12 generations, before the revolutionary war. They have a long history of farming. Eastern NC is full of corn, tobacco, cotton, peanuts, not to mention the great pine forest that predates Europeans. This country hardly fits the description of being plagued by "drought" though there is an occasional dry spell. In my entire life I can remember only 2 or 3 times when there was no rain for 20-30 days. Why you would make such a comment is beyond my understanding but you are entitled to voice your option.
Status:
"48 years in MD, 18 in NC"
(set 7 days ago)
Location: Greenville, NC
2,309 posts, read 6,100,090 times
Reputation: 1430
Quote:
Originally Posted by ditchoc
While I am not a meteorologist, I only have my life experience to draw from. Your comment on drought brings to mind a parched waste land. I am 62 years old and have lived in NC all my life. My family has lived in NC for 12 generations, before the revolutionary war. They have a long history of farming. Eastern NC is full of corn, tobacco, cotton, peanuts, not to mention the great pine forest that predates Europeans. This country hardly fits the description of being plagued by "drought" though there is an occasional dry spell. In my entire life I can remember only 2 or 3 times when there was no rain for 20-30 days. Why you would make such a comment is beyond my understanding but you are entitled to voice your option.
"RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Corn crops are dying and tomatoes are withering on the vine in portions of eastern North Carolina, where hot weather and dry conditions could add up to serious losses for the region's farmers, according to agricultural agents.
Thirteen coastal counties are now in extreme drought, the second-highest of five drought classifications. Sixty-eight other counties range from severe drought to abnormally dry, said Sarah Young of the state Drought Management Advisory Council."
My living depends on rain. I am painfully aware that there are extended periods of drought in Eastern Carolina.
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