Weather in Hickory, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—85°48°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—90°63°
- MondayMay 18Clear—89°66°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—89°60°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle33%92°62°
- ThursdayMay 21Drizzle81%73°60°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle77%63°57°
- PM 2.5
- 16.5 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 17.2 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 3.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 119.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.1 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:29 AM
- Moonset
- 12:48 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Hickory at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 74°F — typical for the season
- Last frost: March 21 (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 Hickory's highest temperatures (~78°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~40°F). Precipitation reaches its peak in August (4.6 inches) and drops to its lowest point in February (3.2 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 3.8″ | 7 |
| February | 43° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| March | 50° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| April | 59° | 4.1″ | 7 |
| May | 67° | 3.9″ | 7 |
| June | 74° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| July | 78° | 4.3″ | 7 |
| August | 76° | 4.6″ | 7 |
| September | 70° | 3.9″ | 6 |
| October | 60° | 3.5″ | 4 |
| November | 49° | 3.6″ | 6 |
| December | 42° | 3.9″ | 6 |
Regional context
Hickory falls within a humid subtropical climate region that encompasses nearby cities with similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions.
Similar climates: Charlotte, NC, Raleigh, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the peak migration of wood warblers through the Carolina foothills, with species like the Blackburnian Warbler passing through on their way to northern breeding grounds.
Dogwood trees typically finish blooming by early May in this region, their white bracts giving way to emerging summer foliage.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Hickory?
- The last spring frost in Hickory typically occurs around mid-March, while the first fall frost usually arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Hickory?
- August receives the most rainfall with about 4.6 inches on average; the city gets roughly 47 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Hickory?
- July typically records the warmest temperatures, averaging about 78°F.
- What is the coldest month in Hickory?
- January typically sees the coldest temperatures, averaging about 40°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Hickory?
- Cool-season crops like peas and lettuce can be planted around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops such as tomatoes and peppers should wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Hickory get?
- Hickory experiences about 76 rainy days per year on average.
- What hardiness zone is Hickory?
- Hickory's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperature; the USDA's online lookup tool using the city ZIP provides the current zone designation.
Climate
Hickory, North Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate zone. Temperatures hover near 40°F in January while July averages 78°F — creating a 38°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 47 inches across roughly 76 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns here result from the city's latitude (35.7°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation. These factors determine what grows locally, frost timing, and daily weather conditions.