Wilmington, DE Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Wilmington
Wilmington runs one of the wider annual swings in our dataset: 24°C separates the average July from the average January. Afternoons reach 86°F (30°C) at the peak of summer and 42°F (5°C) at the depth of winter, with 131 days of measurable precipitation through the year.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 86°F (30°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 42°F (5°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 98°F (36°C) high · -1°F (-18°C) low
- Wettest month: August (14 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (11.7 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid subtropical
- Annual swing: 24°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 9°C
- Snow: about 8 days a year
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 1
- Average humidity: 69%
Temperatures through the year
January sits at the other end of the year: 42°F (5°C) by day, 28°F (-2°C) at night. July is the warm end of the year, averaging 86°F (30°C) by day and 70°F (21°C) overnight. Sunshine averages 8.6 hours a day over the year, peaking in July at 11.7 hours.
Rain, sun and snow
Between the average July and the average January lie 24°C, a wider spread than roughly 79% of the cities we track. Precipitation concentrates in August - 5.5 inches (140 mm) on 14 days - and thins out by November. Snow falls on roughly 8 days a year, mostly December through March. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 98°F (36°C) and the lowest daily minimum -1°F (-18°C).
How Wilmington compares
- Wilmington sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 56°F (13°C) as an annual average, 52.1 inches (1324 mm) of precipitation and 8.6 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 | 42° | 28° | 10 | 3.8 in | 6.0 h/day | 67% |
| February | 46° | 29° | 10 | 3.5 in | 6.9 h/day | 66% |
| March | 53° | 35° | 11 | 4.3 in | 8.0 h/day | 64% |
| April | 63° | 45° | 11 | 4.3 in | 9.0 h/day | 65% |
| May | 72° | 55° | 12 | 4.6 in | 9.7 h/day | 70% |
| June | 81° | 64° | 13 | 4.9 in | 11.3 h/day | 69% |
| July | 86° | 70° | 14 | 5.1 in | 11.7 h/day | 73% |
| August | 84° | 69° | 14 | 5.5 in | 10.7 h/day | 74% |
| September | 78° | 62° | 10 | 4.5 in | 9.0 h/day | 73% |
| October | 67° | 52° | 8 | 3.9 in | 8.0 h/day | 72% |
| November | 55° | 40° | 8 | 3.1 in | 7.5 h/day | 68% |
| December | 47° | 33° | 10 | 4.5 in | 5.7 h/day | 72% |
Wilmington month by month
Wilmington weather in January
January brings highs around 42°F (5°C), lows near 28°F (-2°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 3 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Wilmington.
Wilmington weather in February
February brings highs around 46°F (8°C), lows near 29°F (-2°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 3 snowy days.
Wilmington weather in March
March brings highs around 53°F (11°C), lows near 35°F (2°C), about 11 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days.
Wilmington weather in April
April brings highs around 63°F (17°C), lows near 45°F (7°C), about 11 wet days.
Wilmington weather in May
May brings highs around 72°F (22°C), lows near 55°F (13°C), about 12 wet days.
Wilmington weather in June
June brings highs around 81°F (27°C), lows near 64°F (18°C), about 13 wet days.
Wilmington weather in July
July brings highs around 86°F (30°C), lows near 70°F (21°C), about 14 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Wilmington.
Wilmington weather in August
August brings highs around 84°F (29°C), lows near 69°F (20°C), about 14 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Wilmington.
Wilmington weather in September
September brings highs around 78°F (26°C), lows near 62°F (17°C), about 10 wet days.
Wilmington weather in October
October brings highs around 67°F (20°C), lows near 52°F (11°C), about 8 wet days.
Wilmington weather in November
November brings highs around 55°F (13°C), lows near 40°F (4°C), about 8 wet days - typically the driest month of the year in Wilmington.
Wilmington weather in December
December brings highs around 47°F (8°C), lows near 33°F (1°C), about 10 wet days.
Seasons in Wilmington
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Wilmington is crisp but comfortable: 63°F (17°C) by day, 45°F (7°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 33 of the 90 days.
Summer (June through August)
Through summer, Wilmington runs hot: 84°F (29°C) by day, 67°F (20°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 41 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.2 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)
Fall in Wilmington is mild, with daytime highs averaging 67°F (19°C) and nights around 51°F (11°C); expect showers on roughly 27 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Wilmington runs cold, with daytime highs averaging 45°F (7°C) and nights around 30°F (-1°C); rain falls on around 30 of the 90 days, plus about 6 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
Does it freeze in Wilmington?
How often does it rain in Wilmington?
How sunny is Wilmington?
What is the average temperature in Wilmington?
How cold does Wilmington get in winter?
Best time to visit Wilmington
Aim for April to May and September to October if you get the choice: warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up, and highs average 70°F (21°C) against roughly 10 wet days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in April.
Pack for Wilmington with light clothing for the warm months, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and a compact umbrella or rain shell. Note the gap between afternoon and night: July pairs 86°F (30°C) with 70°F (21°C).
Wilmington temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.