Weather in Raleigh, 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—92°62°
- MondayMay 18Clear—94°66°
- TuesdayMay 19Clear—92°67°
- WednesdayMay 20Mostly Clear19%94°67°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Showers72%89°63°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle72%80°61°
- PM 2.5
- 13.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 13.8 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.8 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 100.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:17 AM
- Moonset
- 12:37 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Raleigh at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 4°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 22 (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
July brings Raleigh's peak warmth at around 80°F mean temperature, while January delivers the coldest conditions at roughly 42°F. September produces the heaviest rainfall at 5.7 inches, contrasting with February's lightest precipitation of 2.9 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 3.6″ | 7 |
| February | 44° | 2.9″ | 6 |
| March | 51° | 4.2″ | 7 |
| April | 61° | 3.6″ | 6 |
| May | 69° | 4.0″ | 6 |
| June | 77° | 4.9″ | 7 |
| July | 80° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| August | 79° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| September | 73° | 5.7″ | 6 |
| October | 62° | 3.9″ | 5 |
| November | 52° | 3.5″ | 5 |
| December | 45° | 3.7″ | 6 |
Regional context
Raleigh falls within a humid subtropical climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with other nearby cities in this climate zone.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC, Fayetteville, NC.
Naturalist notes
Carolina wrens begin their territorial singing in late March as daylight hours extend past the spring equinox.
Dogwood trees start leafing out in early April when soil temperatures consistently reach the mid-50s°F range.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Raleigh?
- Mid-March typically brings Raleigh's last spring frost, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Raleigh?
- September ranks as the wettest month, delivering about 5.7 inches of rain on average, while the city's annual total reaches roughly 49 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Raleigh?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 80°F.
- What is the coldest month in Raleigh?
- January typically brings the coldest conditions, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Raleigh?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost in mid-March, while warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Raleigh get?
- Raleigh experiences about 74 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Raleigh?
- Raleigh's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Raleigh, North Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 42°F, while July averages reach 80°F, creating a 39°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 49 inches across roughly 74 rainy days throughout the year.
Geography shapes Raleigh's weather patterns through its latitude of 35.8°N, proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows in the region, when frost occurs, and daily weather conditions.