Raleigh, NC Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Raleigh
Raleigh is a humid subtropical city - hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. July is the warmest month at 90°F (32°C) and January the coolest at 51°F (10°C), over 50.8 inches (1290 mm) of precipitation a year.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 90°F (32°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 51°F (10°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 101°F (38°C) high · 7°F (-14°C) low
- Wettest month: September (12 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (11.6 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid subtropical
- Annual swing: 21°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 10°C
- Snow: about 2 days a year
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 3
- Average humidity: 71%
Temperatures through the year
Warmth peaks in July: highs of 90°F (32°C), lows of 72°F (22°C). January is the coolest month, with highs of 51°F (10°C) and lows near 34°F (1°C). Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 101°F (38°C) and the lowest daily minimum 7°F (-14°C). Three of the twelve months pair mild highs with fewer than twelve wet days; the longest unbroken run is April through May.
Rain, sun and snow
Snow falls on roughly 2 days a year, mostly January through February. Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 3 months of the year, June through August being the unbroken run. June is the brightest month at 11.6 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 9.1. Precipitation concentrates in September - 6.2 inches (158 mm) on 12 days - and thins out by October.
How Raleigh compares
- Raleigh sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 62°F (16°C) as an annual average, 50.8 inches (1290 mm) of precipitation and 9.1 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51° | 34° | 10 | 4.3 in | 6.7 h/day | 69% |
| February | 56° | 38° | 10 | 3.6 in | 7.0 h/day | 69% |
| March | 63° | 43° | 11 | 3.6 in | 8.1 h/day | 65% |
| April | 72° | 51° | 10 | 3.9 in | 10.1 h/day | 63% |
| May | 80° | 60° | 12 | 4.1 in | 10.6 h/day | 69% |
| June | 86° | 68° | 12 | 4.3 in | 11.6 h/day | 69% |
| July | 90° | 72° | 15 | 4.8 in | 11.5 h/day | 74% |
| August | 87° | 71° | 14 | 5.1 in | 10.8 h/day | 76% |
| September | 82° | 65° | 12 | 6.2 in | 9.5 h/day | 76% |
| October | 72° | 55° | 7 | 3.3 in | 8.7 h/day | 74% |
| November | 62° | 44° | 8 | 3.5 in | 7.8 h/day | 71% |
| December | 55° | 39° | 9 | 3.9 in | 6.7 h/day | 74% |
Raleigh month by month
Raleigh weather in January
January brings highs around 51°F (10°C), lows near 34°F (1°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 1 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Raleigh.
Raleigh weather in February
February brings highs around 56°F (13°C), lows near 38°F (3°C), about 10 wet days.
Raleigh weather in March
March brings highs around 63°F (17°C), lows near 43°F (6°C), about 11 wet days.
Raleigh weather in April
April brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 51°F (11°C), about 10 wet days.
Raleigh weather in May
May brings highs around 80°F (26°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), about 12 wet days.
Raleigh weather in June
June brings highs around 86°F (30°C), lows near 68°F (20°C), about 12 wet days - typically the sunniest month of the year in Raleigh.
Raleigh weather in July
July brings highs around 90°F (32°C), lows near 72°F (22°C), about 15 wet days - typically the hottest month of the year in Raleigh.
Raleigh weather in August
August brings highs around 87°F (31°C), lows near 71°F (21°C), about 14 wet days.
Raleigh weather in September
September brings highs around 82°F (28°C), lows near 65°F (19°C), about 12 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Raleigh.
Raleigh weather in October
October brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 55°F (13°C), about 7 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Raleigh.
Raleigh weather in November
November brings highs around 62°F (16°C), lows near 44°F (7°C), about 8 wet days.
Raleigh weather in December
December brings highs around 55°F (13°C), lows near 39°F (4°C), about 9 wet days.
Seasons in Raleigh
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Raleigh is pleasantly warm: 71°F (22°C) by day, 52°F (11°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 32 of the 90 days.
Summer (June through August)
Summer in Raleigh brings hot afternoons, with daytime highs averaging 88°F (31°C) and nights around 70°F (21°C); rain falls on around 40 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.3 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
Fall (September through November)
Through fall, Raleigh is mild and warm: 72°F (22°C) by day, 55°F (13°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 27 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter is mild here - highs near 54°F (12°C), nights near 37°F (3°C), and expect showers on roughly 28 days across the season, plus about 2 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
How warm is Raleigh on average?
Is Raleigh humid?
How many rainy days does Raleigh get in a year?
What should I wear in Raleigh?
Best time to visit Raleigh
Aim for March to May and October to November if you get the choice: warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up, and highs average 70°F (21°C) against roughly 9 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in March.
Pack for Raleigh with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and a compact umbrella or rain shell. July nights average 72°F (22°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Raleigh temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.