Weather in Durham, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:18 AM
- Moonset
- 12:39 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Durham at a glance
- Today vs. normal: NaN°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
July brings Durham's highest temperatures, averaging around 78°F, while January delivers the coldest conditions at roughly 38°F. Precipitation follows its own pattern, with June receiving the most rainfall at 5.2 inches and February seeing the least at 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
Durham falls within the humid subtropical climate region, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal cycles, and growing conditions with other nearby cities.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Greensboro, NC, Fayetteville, NC.
Naturalist notes
Late April brings the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds returning from their winter grounds.
Dogwood trees typically reach peak bloom during mid to late April across the region.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Durham?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-March, while the first fall frost typically arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Durham?
- June receives the most rainfall, averaging about 5.2 inches, while the city's total annual precipitation reaches roughly 49 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Durham?
- July typically brings the warmest temperatures, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Durham?
- January typically brings the coldest temperatures, averaging about 38°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Durham?
- 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 Durham get?
- Durham experiences about 77 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Durham?
- Durham's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; the USDA's online lookup tool can provide the current zone designation using the city ZIP code.
Climate
Durham, North Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Winter temperatures in January hover near 38°F, while July brings averages of 78°F — creating a 40°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 49 inches, falling across roughly 77 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns here depend on the city's latitude of 36.0°N, nearby water bodies, and local elevation. These factors determine growing seasons, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.