Climate in Raleigh (North Carolina)

The climate of Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, is temperate, with relatively cold winters and hot, muggy summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in the southeastern United States, 180 km (110 miles) away from the Atlantic coast. Nearby are the cities of Durham and Chapel Hill, which together with Raleigh constitute the so-called Triangle.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.9 °C (80.5 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 1,170 millimeters (46.1 inches) per year.



The winter, from December to February, is quite cold, however, different situations arise. There are mild periods, in which subtropical air masses prevail, and the temperature can even exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
On the other hand, there can be cold waves, during which the temperature can drop to -11/-12 °C (10/12 °F) or even below.
The record is -23 °C (-9.5 °F), recorded in January 1985.
Snow occurs every year or so, even though you have to wait a few years to see a heavy snowfall. On average, 13 centimeters (5 inches) of snow fall per year. The most abundant snowfall in one day was 45.5 cm (18 in), in January 2000.
Sometimes the dangerous phenomenon of freezing rain can also occur.

The summer, from June to August, is hot and muggy, with an often unpleasant combination of temperature and humidity. The sun shines quite often, although cloud coverings can form, which can produce thunderstorms.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 37/38 °C (99/100 °F). The record of the last decades is 40.5 °C (105 °F), recorded in August 1988, in late June and in early July 2012.

Occasionally, between late summer and early autumn, Raleigh can be affected by hurricanes or their remnants. Hurricane season runs from June to November, although the period in which they are most likely is from August to October. The city is far enough away from the coast, so it is not hit by hurricanes at their peak, while the North Carolina coast can be hard hit, as was the case with Hurricane Floyd in September 1999 and with Hurricane Florence in September 2018.

In spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November, the weather is variable. The rains are quite frequent, although there can be rainless periods of a week. In March and November, there can be cold air outbreaks, while in April and October they are rare. In May and September, there can be hot periods, with summer-like temperatures.
In spring, and more rarely in autumn, tornadoes can form.

On the beaches of North Carolina, the sea is warm enough for swimming from May to October. In winter, the sea is cold but not impossible for the daring.

Best Time

The best periods to visit Raleigh are spring and autumn, to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat, and in particular, the months of April and October.
In autumn (usually, around late October), you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

Raleigh - Climate data

In Raleigh, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.9 °C (80.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1170 millimeters (46.1 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 70 mm (2.8 in) in the driest month (February) to 130 mm (5.1 in) in the wettest ones (July, September) Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2610 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Raleigh - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (51.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -17.2 °C (1 °F) in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 13.2 °C (55.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17.8 °C (0 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.3 °C (82.9 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 4.6 °C (40.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in March 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in March 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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April is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) and a maximum of 22.6 °C (72.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3.9 °C (25 °F) in April 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in April 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in May 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.8 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 18.9 °C (66 °F) and a maximum of 30.8 °C (87.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.9 °C (81 °F), with a minimum of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) and a maximum of 32.7 °C (90.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13 °C (55.4 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) and a maximum of 31.5 °C (88.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in August 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (96.5 °F). However, it reached 40.6 °C (105.1 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.1 °C (62.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.1 °C (82.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 38.3 °C (100.9 °F) in September 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.2 °C (50.3 °F) and a maximum of 22.8 °C (73 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.2 °C (28 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 37.8 °C (100 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (40 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (63 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -7.8 °C (18 °F) in November 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in November 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11.1 °C (12 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 27.2 °C (81 °F) in December 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).