How Often do the Carolinas Experience Major Hurricanes?

news image
Special Stories
12 Sep 2018 10:34 AM
With a Category 4, major hurricane heading toward the East Coast, with its path leading it to the Carolinas, some may be wondering, how often do the Carolina experience major hurricanes? First, let's define a major hurricane. Major hurricanes are hurricanes of category 3 or higher. That's a storm with maximum sustained wind of 111 mph. According to the National Hurricane Center, a major hurricane impacts this region between 17 and 34 years, on average. This statistic is based on a major hurricane passing within 50 nautical miles of the points of interest along the coast. This chart the below shows this statistic. It also shows that the farther north along the east coast, the longer time between impacts for a major hurricane. For instance, for the coast of Maine, this region would be impacted by a major hurricane every 120 to 290 years. Meaning that it much more rare for these regions to be impacted by these powerful storms. How Often do the Carolinas Experience Major Hurricanes? Source: National Hurricane Center For WeatherNation, I am Meteorologist Marcus Walter.  
All Weather News
More
Next System Blows Even More Leaves Out of Trees

Next System Blows Even More Leaves Out of Trees

The trough responsible for the storms along t

19 Oct 2025 1:38 PM
Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

Strong Fall Front Fires Up Severe Chances This Weekend

October has been relatively quiet in terms of

19 Oct 2025 12:50 PM
Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

Wet Pattern for the NW Continues

A wet pattern is shaping up for the Northwest

19 Oct 2025 12:30 PM
Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

Next Wave in the Atlantic to Watch

As the Atlantic hurricane season enters its f

19 Oct 2025 12:30 PM
NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

NOAA Releases Outlook for Winter 25-26'

Ready for another La Niña winter? NOAA quietl

19 Oct 2025 12:25 PM
Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

Ridge Riding Thunderstorms in the Western Plains

A ridge of high pressure has been responsible

17 Oct 2025 3:00 AM
Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

Sierra to the Rockies: Flooding Rain & Heavy Snow

As of Wednesday, all evacuation orders have b

15 Oct 2025 1:45 PM