Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina, features a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are generally mild but can be chilly. The city receives moderate rainfall year-round and enjoys over 210 sunny days annually, making it an appealing destination for outdoor activities and seasonal events throughout the year.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Raleigh’s climate is characterised by hot, muggy summers and mild to cool winters, with moderate rainfall distributed throughout the year. Summer (June to August) is the hottest period, with average highs of 31–33°C (88–91°F) and lows of 20–22°C (68–72°F). High humidity makes the heat feel more intense, and thunderstorms are common, especially in July and August, which are also the wettest months. The city enjoys long daylight hours and abundant sunshine in summer, but the humidity can be challenging for some visitors.
Winters (December to February) are generally mild, with average highs of 11–13°C (52–55°F) and lows around 0–2°C (32–36°F). Snowfall is infrequent but possible, typically occurring a few times each winter, with occasional freezing rain and brief cold snaps. Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are transitional seasons, offering mild and pleasant weather, vibrant blooms in spring, and colourful foliage in autumn. Rain falls throughout the year, with annual precipitation averaging around 1,170 mm (46 inches). Winds are usually light to moderate, and the city’s inland location means hurricanes are rare, but remnants can bring heavy rain in late summer and early autumn. Raleigh’s climate supports a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, with parks, festivals, and recreational activities available year-round.
| Average climate data for Raleigh, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 9 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 26 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 28 | 22 | 15 | 11 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 1 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 18 | 12 | 6 | 4 | 1 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 57 | 58 | 62 | 65 | 81 | 77 | 71 | 88 | 70 | 54 | 68 | 66 | 817 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 13 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 163 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 38 | 35 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 97 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 75 | 74 | 73 | 75 | 72 | 74 | 76 | 76 | 74 | 73 | 75 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 40 | 42 | 40 | 37 | 39 | 29 | 31 | 33 | 35 | 31 | 34 | 40 | 36 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 |
The best time to visit Raleigh is in spring (April to June) and fall (September to early November), when temperatures are comfortable, humidity is lower, and the city comes alive with festivals and outdoor events. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying Raleigh’s parks and gardens.
The least favourable time to visit Raleigh is during the peak summer months of July and August, when high heat and humidity can make outdoor activities uncomfortable. Winters (December to February) are mild but can be unpredictable, with occasional cold snaps, rain, or light snow that may limit some activities.
Raleigh has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, sometimes chilly winters. The city experiences four distinct seasons, moderate rainfall, and over 210 sunny days annually.
The best times to visit are spring (April–June) and fall (September–early November), when temperatures are pleasant, humidity is lower, and the city hosts many festivals and outdoor events.
Snow is infrequent in Raleigh but possible, usually occurring a few times each winter. Most snowfalls are light, but occasional storms can bring several centimetres of accumulation.
Summer temperatures in Raleigh typically reach 31–33°C (88–91°F), with high humidity making it feel hotter. Thunderstorms and heavy downpours are common during this season.
Raleigh is inland and rarely experiences direct hurricanes, but remnants of tropical storms can bring heavy rain and gusty winds, especially from August to October.
Pack light, breathable clothing for summer, and layers for spring, autumn, and winter. Bring rain gear year-round, and allergy medication if visiting in spring due to high pollen counts.
Raleigh is a few hours’ drive from North Carolina’s Atlantic beaches, such as Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach. These are best visited in late spring, summer, or early autumn.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (31.8 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (8.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 21 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (21.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (0.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 11.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (87.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is October (53.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 817.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (18 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (9.1 days). Over the whole year there are 163 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (37.5 mm). The months with the least snowfall are April, May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 97.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (2 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are April, June and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is August (75.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (72.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 74.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is April (13.3 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (8.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (42.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (28.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 36 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 7.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 7). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.6.
