Weather in Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—86°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—93°62°
- MondayMay 18Clear—94°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—92°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast27%94°62°
- ThursdayMay 21Showers74%88°63°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle74%76°58°
- PM 2.5
- 12.7 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 13.3 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 3.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 101.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:19 AM
- Moonset
- 12:39 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Chapel Hill at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 4°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 23 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, 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.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Chapel Hill's warmest month is July (~78°F mean) and its coldest is January (~38°F). Rainfall peaks in June (5.2 inches) and bottoms out in February (2.9 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| February | 41° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| March | 49° | 4.5″ | 8 |
| April | 58° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| May | 66° | 3.8″ | 7 |
| June | 74° | 5.2″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.2″ | 7 |
| August | 76° | 5.2″ | 7 |
| September | 70° | 4.7″ | 5 |
| October | 59° | 3.4″ | 5 |
| November | 49° | 3.6″ | 5 |
| December | 42° | 3.3″ | 6 |
Regional context
Chapel Hill sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Chapel Hill?
- Chapel Hill's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Chapel Hill?
- June is the wettest month with about 5.2 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 49 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Chapel Hill?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Chapel Hill?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 38°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Chapel Hill?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Chapel Hill get?
- Chapel Hill averages about 77 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Chapel Hill?
- Chapel Hill's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Chapel Hill, North Carolina sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 38°F while July averages 78°F — a 40°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Chapel Hill receives about 49 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 77 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (35.9°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.