Air Quality
Pollution levels.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored North Carolina counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average PM2.5 (µg/m³) | 8.1 | 8.2 |
Wildfires
Fire activity.
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Acres burned per year (thousands) | 25 | 7000 |
Drought
Dry conditions.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Share of area in drought (%) | 12 | 26 |
Water Usage
Water withdrawals.
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Water withdrawals per capita (gal/day) | 730 | 1000 |
Emissions
Greenhouse gases.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTONCA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTONCA).
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 emissions per capita (t) | 10.4 | 14.4 |
- •North Carolina's per-capita CO2 emissions are among the lowest in the Southeast thanks to nuclear and solar generation.
Climate Indicators
Temperature and rainfall.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.
| Indicator | North Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual precipitation (mm) | 1250 | 767 |
- •Hurricanes Floyd (1999), Matthew (2016), Florence (2018) and Helene (2024) each caused multi-billion-dollar flood damage in the state.