Weather in Elon, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—85°48°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—91°63°
- MondayMay 18Clear—91°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—91°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle36%93°61°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Showers76%72°62°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle76%76°57°
- PM 2.5
- 12.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 12.7 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 2.5 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 133.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.3 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:34 AM
- Moonset
- —
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Elon at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 3°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 24 (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
Warm-season window is open
As of May 16, the last spring frost has passed for most years. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, and cucurbits (cucumbers, squash, melons) now. Direct-sow beans and corn into warm soil.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
Elon's warmest month is July (~80°F mean) and its coldest is January (~41°F). Rainfall peaks in September (4.9 inches) and bottoms out in November (3.2 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 4.0″ | 13 |
| February | 44° | 3.2″ | 11 |
| March | 51° | 4.4″ | 15 |
| April | 60° | 3.8″ | 13 |
| May | 68° | 3.6″ | 12 |
| June | 76° | 4.6″ | 15 |
| July | 80° | 4.4″ | 15 |
| August | 78° | 4.1″ | 14 |
| September | 72° | 4.9″ | 16 |
| October | 61° | 3.4″ | 11 |
| November | 51° | 3.2″ | 11 |
| December | 44° | 3.4″ | 11 |
Regional context
Elon 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 Elon?
- Elon's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Elon?
- September is the wettest month with about 4.9 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 47 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Elon?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 80°F.
- What is the coldest month in Elon?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 41°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Elon?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-April); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Elon get?
- Elon averages about 157 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Elon?
- Elon'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
Elon, North Carolina sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 41°F while July averages 80°F — a 38°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, Elon receives about 47 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 157 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (36.1°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.