Weather in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—84°49°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—91°60°
- MondayMay 18Clear—91°66°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—92°64°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle33%95°64°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Drizzle82%73°63°
- FridayMay 22Foggy77%61°55°
- PM 2.5
- 11.3 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 11.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 4.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 125.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.3 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 9:37 AM
- Moonset
- —
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Winston-Salem at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 7°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
July brings Winston-Salem's warmest temperatures (~79°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~40°F). Rainfall reaches its peak in August (4.5 inches) and drops to its lowest point in February (2.9 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| February | 43° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| March | 50° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| April | 59° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| May | 68° | 3.8″ | 7 |
| June | 75° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| July | 79° | 4.2″ | 8 |
| August | 77° | 4.5″ | 7 |
| September | 71° | 3.9″ | 6 |
| October | 60° | 3.3″ | 5 |
| November | 50° | 3.1″ | 5 |
| December | 43° | 3.3″ | 6 |
Regional context
Winston-Salem falls within a humid subtropical climate region — part of a group that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC, Fayetteville, NC.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the arrival of migrating ruby-throated hummingbirds to Winston-Salem's gardens and feeders.
Dogwood trees typically reach full bloom across the city during mid-April.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Winston-Salem?
- Winston-Salem's last spring frost typically falls around mid-April, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-November.
- What is the rainy season in Winston-Salem?
- August is the wettest month with about 4.5 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 43 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Winston-Salem?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 79°F.
- What is the coldest month in Winston-Salem?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 40°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Winston-Salem?
- 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 Winston-Salem get?
- Winston-Salem averages about 76 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Winston-Salem?
- Winston-Salem'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
Winston-Salem, North Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. January temperatures hover near 40°F while July averages 79°F — a 39°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Winston-Salem receives about 43 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 76 rainy days.
Latitude (36.1°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation determine the rhythm of the year — shaping what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.