Weather StoryAlmanac, microseasons, and the day's weather story.

Apex, North Carolina Weather

Cicadas claim the scorching afternoon. Day 15 of summer. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Apex weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar

Apex, NC
Sunday, July 5 at 3:16 PM
98
°
Mostly Clear
Feels like
102°
Humidity
33%
Wind
3 mph
Sunrise
2:05 AM
Sunset
4:34 PM
Apex, NC
Hour by hour · 24h
24-Hour ForecastApex, NC: 24-hour forecast. Temperatures range from 74 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit with a 27% chance of precipitation at 6 PM.
L 74°H 99°
Apex, NC
7-day forecast
  1. Today
    Jul 5
    Showers
    27%
    0.15″
    99°76°—
  2. Monday
    Jul 6
    Overcast
    27%
    —
    96°74°-3°
  3. Tuesday
    Jul 7
    Heavy Drizzle
    58%
    —
    97°75°+1°
  4. Wednesday
    Jul 8
    Heavy Drizzle
    58%
    —
    94°72°-3°
  5. Thursday
    Jul 9
    Light Showers
    20%
    0.01″
    98°73°+4°
  6. Friday
    Jul 10
    Overcast
    19%
    —
    99°72°+1°
  7. Saturday
    Jul 11
    Light Drizzle
    47%
    0.01″
    95°72°-4°
Apex, NC
Next 24 hours · Hot now
HOT 90°65°85°105°12p6p12a6anow 99°high 99°low 74°PRECIP %
Apex, NC
Anemometer · 24h winds · from true
NESW
From · True
S
170° · backing 10°
Direction
S
170°
Sustained
3
mph
Gust
3
mph
Peak 24h
15
avg 6
Beaufort · 1 · LIGHT AIR
0
CALM
<1
1
LIGHT AIR
1–3
2
LIGHT BRZ
4–7
3
GENTLE BRZ
8–12
4
MOD BRZ
13–18
5
FRESH BRZ
19–24
6
STRONG BRZ
25–31
7
NEAR GALE
32–38
24h · sust vs gust · mph
avg 6 · pk 15 @ 8:00p
01020MPHB1B2B3B4B5-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOWpk 227SUSTGUST
−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
A whisper of wind — leaves barely shift on the trees.
Apex, NC
Barometer · 24h pressure · mb
STORMRAINCHANGEFAIRDRY9901000101010201030
Pressure · mb
997.5
-1.6 mb in 3h · falling · 29.46 inHg
Now
997.5
mb
3h
-1.6
mb
12h
-1.5
mb
24h
-1.7
mb
Regime · STORM
STORM
RAIN
CHANGE
FAIR
DRY
24h · Pressure · mb
range 998–1000
9909951000STORM|RAIN10051010RAIN|CHG1015CHG|FAIR10201025FAIR|DRY1030-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOW1000.0997.7997.7
−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Deep low still deepening — rough seas, strong wind, persistent rain.
Apex, NC
Air quality
40
AQI
Good
↑+7 in 6h▲Peak ~49 @ 11 PM

AQI 40 (Good), driven by Ozone. AQI up 7 over the last 6 hours (gradual rise). Ozone at AQI 51 — peak already passed at 1 PM under clear skies. Levels should ease through evening.

OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

PM 2.5Good
4.8μg/m³
PM 10Good
6μg/m³
NO₂Good
1μg/m³
OzoneDRIVERUnhealthy SG
108μg/m³
UV IndexHigh
6.5

What's driving it

Ozone × UV × Sky

Ozone at AQI 51 — peak already passed at 1 PM under clear skies. Levels should ease through evening.

Present
AQI 51
UV peak
6.2 at earlier today
Sky at peak
clear
Projected peak
AQI 51

PM × Wind × Precip

PM scrubbed by 2 hours of recent rain — PM2.5 down to 4.8 µg/m³, PM10 to 5.8 µg/m³.

PM2.5/PM10
0.83
Wind
calm
Recent rain
2h in last 6h
Pattern
washed out

Trends

Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.

Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).

7-DAY AQI TREND50100SUNMONTUEWEDTHUFRISATSUN7-DAY PM2.5 TREND · μg/m³300
Apex, NC
Sky cover · visibility · 24h
Cloud cover
40%
MOSTLY CLEAR
100%0%−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Visibility
111.1mi
UNLIMITED
117 mi0 mi−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Earth · GOES-19 ABI
Full Disk · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 full disk Visible · GeoColor
True-color daytime, blue/IR sandwich at night
19:16 UTC · Apex, NC · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · up to 10848 px
Continental US · GOES-19 ABI
CONUS Sector · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 CONUS Visible · GeoColor
Daytime true-color, blue-light/IR sandwich at night
19:16 UTC · Apex, NC · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · 5-min cadence · up to 10000 px
Apex, NC
Satellite · infrared · animated
Apex, NC
Loading IR frames…
IR · cloud-top temp© RainViewer · Carto
Apex, NC
Almanac · Sunday, July 5
If the first of July be rainy weather, 'twill rain more or less for four weeks together.
Civil dawn
5:36 AM
Sunrise
2:05 AM
Daylight
14h 29m
Sunset
4:34 PM
Civil dusk
9:06 PM
Planting note
Harvest early potatoes. Begin drying onions on the surface.
Apex, NC
The moon
Waning Gibbous
70% illuminated
Moonrise
11:30 PM
Moonset
11:27 AM
In sign
♓︎ Pisces
Apex, NC
Microseason
Jul 1–5

Cicadas claim the scorching afternoon

plant
Jan 151% of the yearDec 31

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Apex at a glance

  • Today vs. normal: 22°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
  • Last frost: March 21 (climatological average for this latitude)
  • Microseason: Jul 1–5
  • Planting window: Harvest early potatoes. Begin drying onions on the surface.

ZIP codes: 27502, 27523, 27539

16-Day Forecast — Apex

  1. Sun99°76°27%
  2. Mon96°74°27%
  3. Tue97°75°58%
  4. Wed94°72°58%
  5. Thu98°73°20%
  6. Fri99°72°19%
  7. Sat95°72°47%
  8. Sun93°73°38%
  9. Mon99°72°20%
  10. Tue88°67°12%
  11. Wed90°63°10%
  12. Thu99°68°24%
  13. Fri95°70°29%
  14. Sat93°68°33%
  15. Sun75°64°48%
  16. Mon92°64°45%

Forecast data from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0).

Live wind & temperature near Apex

Right now in the garden

Peak growing season

As of July 5, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.

SPC Convective Outlook

Storm Prediction Center — Apex

SPC has placed Apex in the Marginal Risk category for severe thunderstorms today.

  • TODAYMRGLMarginal Risk
  • TOMORROWMRGLMarginal Risk
  • DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms

Isolated severe storms possible. Limited threat for hail or damaging wind.

Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.

January 1–5: Frost quiets the live oaks.January 6–10: Still water thickens with ice.January 11–15: Springs begin to move beneath ice.January 16–20: Cardinal dawn calls grow bolder.January 21–25: Late January thaw pulses.January 26–31: Last freeze locks the land.February 1–5: February's lengthening light.February 6–10: Warming winds thaw the margin.February 11–15: Magnolia blooms break the gray.February 16–20: Mockingbirds resume the dawn chorus.February 21–25: Rain replaces the last snow.February 26–28: Mist clings to greening valleys.March 1–5: The green pulse awakens.March 6–10: Hibernators emerge to call.March 11–15: Dogwood and redbud ignite.March 16–20: Swallowtails emerge from winter silk.March 21–25: Light crowns the dogwood canopy.March 26–31: Redbud cascades over the thaw.April 1–5: Thunder announces the wet season.April 6–10: Barn swallows carve the warming sky.April 11–15: Magnolia blooms and falls in a breath.April 16–20: First rainbows arch over thunderheads.April 21–25: Reeds push through marsh water.April 26–30: Frost retreats; seedlings rise free.May 1–5: Warblers flood the canopy in waves.May 6–10: Tulip poplar lights the forest crown.May 11–15: Shad pulse upstream through rapids.May 16–20: Roses open on the Piedmont edge.May 21–25: Fireflies scout the humid dusk.May 26–31: Frog choruses rise from every wetland.June 1–5: Fireflies pulse through the magnolias.June 6–10: Kudzu climbs deeper into green.June 11–15: Sun climbs to its northern throne.June 16–20: Heat settles and the rain begins.June 21–25: The longest day turns toward shadow.June 26–30: Fireflies drift through Spanish moss.July 1–5: Cicadas claim the scorching afternoon.July 6–10: Thunderheads boil and break at dusk.July 11–15: Thunder builds each drowsy afternoon.July 16–20: Cicadas claim the long noon.July 21–25: Dog days drape the earth in haze.July 26–31: Katydids begin their rasping chorus.August 1–5: Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night.August 6–10: Meteorological summer's turning page.August 11–15: Cool winds gather at the margins.August 16–20: Dog-day cicadas rise.August 21–25: Heat breaks in creek beds.August 26–31: Monarchs gather strength.September 1–5: Harvests begin in earnest.September 6–10: Dew beads on resurrection fern.September 11–15: Raptors trail the thermals.September 16–20: Day and dark find balance.September 21–25: Thunder quiets the land.September 26–30: Insects retreat below.October 1–5: Swamp waters recede.October 6–10: Maples ignite the ridge.October 11–15: Asters crown the meadows.October 16–20: Crickets sing at dusk.October 21–25: Frost paints the garden.October 26–31: Light rains whisper down.November 1–5: Sweetgum Turns Crimson.November 6–10: Camellia Blooms Break Through.November 11–15: Earth Stiffens Underfoot.November 16–20: Bare Limbs Hold the Light.November 21–25: First Frost Grips the High Ground.November 26–30: North Wind Strips the Last Leaves.December 1–5: Darkness Falls Before Dinner.December 6–10: Winter Locks the Land.December 11–15: Wildlife Retreats to Shelter.December 16–20: Ice Edges Deepen Inward.December 21–25: The Sun Begins its Return.December 26–31: The Year Turns in Silence.🌱February 14 — First skunk-cabbage spathes thaw their way up☀️March 20 — Spring equinox — day and night balance🌸April 5 — Cherry blossoms peak in the parks🐦May 10 — Warbler migration peaks along the coast✨May 25 — First fireflies scout the meadows at dusk🌞June 21 — Summer solstice — longest day🦗July 25 — Peak cicada chorus in the afternoons🌊August 18 — Warmest sea-surface temperatures of the year🍂September 22 — Autumn equinox — the slow turn❄️October 25 — First widespread frost in the suburbs🍁November 10 — Peak leaf color across the Hudson Valley🌙December 21 — Winter solstice — longest night

Microseason · July 1–5

Cicadas claim the scorching afternoon

Dog-day cicadas emerge in waves, their rasp dominating every sunny hour; heat peaks above 90 degrees daily.

Day 186 of 365 · Wedge 37 of 72

The solar year drawn as a wheel of 72 five-day windows. Each wedge is one microseason; the four colored arcs mark winter, spring, summer, and autumn; the small icons sit at notable phenological events. The crimson pointer creeps clockwise as the year turns.

Planting calendar

MonthPlantHarvest
January——
February——
Marchlettuce, peas, spinach, radishes—
Aprillettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash—
Maytomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
Junetomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
July—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
August—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
September—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
Octoberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotswinter squash, tomatoes (last)
Novemberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots—
December——

A year in weather

Apex peaks at about 80°F in July and bottoms near 42°F in January; September brings the heaviest rain (5.7 inches) and February the least (2.9 inches).

MonthMean tempPrecipRainy days
January42°3.6″7
February44°2.9″6
March51°4.2″7
April61°3.6″6
May69°4.0″6
June77°4.9″7
July80°4.7″7
August79°4.7″7
September73°5.7″6
October62°3.9″5
November52°3.5″5
December45°3.7″6

Regional context

Apex swings from 42°F in January to 80°F in July (39°F) per NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals; precipitation in Apex runs about 49.4 inches on roughly 74 measurable days.

Apex's precipitation spreads evenly: September peaks at 5.7 inches on 5.9 wet days, while February holds 2.9 inches over 6.0 — no month dominates Apex's rain calendar. It is a balanced pattern Apex shares with places like Cary, NC, Holly Springs, NC and Morrisville, NC.

Once Apex passes mid-March, overnight freezes fade and peas, lettuce, spinach, and radishes can be sown. Apex's heat-lovers — tomatoes, peppers, squash — hold off until Apex's frost risk clears, 10-14 days on. By mid-December, frost is back in Apex — protect or harvest anything tender. A creek-bottom lot in Apex can lag Apex's last frost 7-10 days behind a south slope.

Similar climates: Cary, NC, Holly Springs, NC, Morrisville, NC, Fuquay-Varina, NC, Governors Village, NC.

Frequently asked

When does it freeze in Apex?
In Apex, expect the last spring frost near mid-March; Apex's first autumn frost comes around mid-December.
What is the rainy season in Apex?
September is the wettest month in Apex, about 5.7 inches on average; the year totals roughly 49 inches.
What is the warmest month in Apex?
On average July tops the year in Apex at about 80°F.
What is the coldest month in Apex?
The coldest stretch in Apex falls in January, around 42°F on average.
When can I start a vegetable garden in Apex?
Hardy spring crops go in near mid-March in Apex; tender peppers and squash wait 10–14 days.
How many rainy days does Apex get?
Apex averages about 74 days with measurable rain or snow each year.
What hardiness zone is Apex?
Because Apex bottoms near 42°F in January, that winter low sets Apex's USDA zone — verify by ZIP.
What is the 10-day forecast for Apex?
Apex's extended outlook — daily high and low temperatures and precipitation chances for each upcoming day — is in the daily forecast above.
Will it rain this week in Apex?
See this week's day-by-day rain chances for Apex in the daily forecast above, and the next 24 hours in the hourly chart.
What is the weather like right now in Apex?
Current conditions for Apex and the next 24 hours — temperature, precipitation chance, and wind by the hour — are in the hourly forecast chart above.
How often is the Apex forecast updated?
The Apex forecast on this page is built from Open-Meteo weather-model data and refreshes regularly through the day.
When are sunrise and sunset in Apex?
Today's sunrise and sunset times for Apex are in the Almanac section above, along with civil dawn, civil dusk, and day length. Day length is longest near the summer solstice and shortest near the winter solstice.
How accurate is the weather forecast for Apex?
The next few days in Apex's forecast are the most reliable; accuracy declines beyond about a week as weather-model uncertainty grows.

Climate

The humid subtropical climate of Apex, North Carolina carries typical Januarys near 42°F and Julys around 80°F — 38°F of seasonal travel.

In a typical year Apex records about 49 inches of precipitation on around 74 days.

From 35.7°N, Apex sees a 38°F seasonal swing that governs Apex's planting and frost windows.

All cities in North Carolina →

Raleigh, NC weather →

ZIP codes in Apex

  • 27502
  • 27523
  • 27539

Climate normals from the Open-Meteo Climate API. Köppen approximation from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Regions. See methodology for data sources, editorial rules, and corrections. Maintainer: Brian Tighe.