Weather in Hillsborough, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—85°50°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—91°64°
- MondayMay 18Clear—92°67°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—92°61°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast31%93°61°
- ThursdayMay 21Showers73%81°62°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle73%77°57°
- PM 2.5
- 13.4 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 14.0 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.0 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 103.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:18 AM
- Moonset
- 12:40 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Hillsborough 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
Warm-season window is open
As of May 17, 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
Hillsborough'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
Hillsborough 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 Hillsborough?
- Hillsborough's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Hillsborough?
- 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 Hillsborough?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Hillsborough?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 38°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Hillsborough?
- 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 Hillsborough get?
- Hillsborough averages about 77 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Hillsborough?
- Hillsborough'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
Hillsborough, 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, Hillsborough receives about 49 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 77 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.