Raleigh, NC weather by month
South · Station: Raleigh–Durham International Airport, NC · NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals
The best time to visit Raleigh, NC is April–May, October–November, when average daytime highs are comfortable and rainfall sits at or below the city's monthly average. Raleigh is hottest in July (avg high 91°F) and coolest in January (avg high 52°F). The wettest month is September (5.2 in) and the driest is February (2.8 in). Overall the annual mean temperature is about 61.3°F with 46.3 in of precipitation a year and 5.2 in of snow.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Monthly weather averages for Raleigh
| Month | Avg high (°F) | Avg low (°F) | Avg precip (in) | Avg snow (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52 | 32 | 3.4 | 2.6 |
| February | 56 | 34 | 2.8 | 1.4 |
| March | 63 | 40 | 4.1 | 0.3 |
| April | 73 | 49 | 3.5 | 0 |
| May | 80 | 58 | 3.6 | 0 |
| June | 87 | 66 | 3.9 | 0 |
| July | 91 | 70 | 5 | 0 |
| August | 89 | 69 | 4.7 | 0 |
| September | 83 | 63 | 5.2 | 0 |
| October | 73 | 50 | 3.4 | 0 |
| November | 63 | 40 | 3.3 | 0.1 |
| December | 55 | 34 | 3.4 | 0.8 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020. Data as of June 2026.
Best time to visit Raleigh
Based on the normals above, the most pleasant window is April–May, October–November. In those months daytime highs are in the mild-to-warm range and precipitation is no higher than the city's typical month, so you avoid both the peak hot of July (when highs reach about 91°F — stay hydrated and seek shade midday) and the cool, darker conditions around January (highs near 52°F). Try to avoid September if rain would spoil your plans — it is the wettest month at 5.2 in. Use the packing & comfort tool to check any specific month.
How Raleigh compares
Raleigh's 46.3 in of annual precipitation and 61.3°F mean temperature put it in context with other US cities. See where it ranks for warmest in January, rainiest overall and driest overall, or browse the full list of cities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Raleigh?
The most comfortable time to visit Raleigh, NC is April–May, October–November, when average daytime highs are mild and rainfall is at or below the city's average. Raleigh is hottest in July (avg high 91°F) and coolest in January (avg high 52°F), per NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.
What is the average temperature in Raleigh?
Raleigh's annual mean temperature is about 61.3°F. The warmest month is July (average high 91°F, low 70°F) and the coolest is January (average high 52°F, low 32°F).
How much rain does Raleigh get?
Raleigh receives about 46.3 inches of precipitation a year. The wettest month is September (5.2 in) and the driest is February (2.8 in).
Does it snow in Raleigh?
Yes. Raleigh averages about 5.2 inches of snow a year. Snow normally falls between late autumn and early spring; summer months see none.
Source
Monthly averages from the NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Raleigh–Durham International Airport, NC (reference values verified against the published normals). Climate normals describe a 30-year average, not a forecast; any individual year can differ. See our methodology for how "best time to visit" is derived.
Last updated: 2026-06-18