Best Time to Visit North Carolina
Best time to visit North Carolina: April, June and October. Month-by-month temperature, rainfall and crowd guidance.
Best time to visit North Carolina
Go in April, June and October. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, July and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
Climate in North Carolina month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49° | 31° | 2,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 55° | 36° | 3,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 68° | 45° | 4,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 75° | 54° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 79° | 60° | 5,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 89° | 69° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 90° | 72° | 8,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 85° | 69° | 5,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 82° | 65° | 4,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 72° | 53° | 1,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 63° | 44° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 54° | 36° | 3,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Continental. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
How North Carolina compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against North Carolina.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 139 mi | 60°F | 34°F cooler | 39 in |
| Myrtle Beach | 145 mi | 65°F | +36°F warmer | 49 in |
| Myrtle Beach | 145 mi | 65°F | +36°F warmer | 49 in |
| Virginia Beach | 166 mi | 61°F | about the same | 43 in |
| Grayson Highlands State Park | 170 mi | 47°F | 47°F cooler | 47 in |
Best time to visit each city in North Carolina
3 cities mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit each state park in North Carolina
1 state and provincial parks mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit each county in North Carolina
1 counties mapped in this atlas
What to pack, what to skip
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 64°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, July and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
North Carolina is a state in United States. North Carolina is a US state with its capital at Raleigh. It has a population of about 10.8 million. The capital is Raleigh.
Right now it is 53°F (11°C) in North Carolina with fog. It feels like 52°F. Today runs from 48°F to 69°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.2/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit North Carolina is April, June and October. The climate is continental. January, July and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 90°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 31°F.
The closest major airport is Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), about 229 mi away. Nearby highlights include Chimney Rock State Park, Myrtle Beach, Grayson Highlands State Park and Shenandoah National Park.
In plain terms. Today is slightly cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 69°F is 3.1°F below the 72°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 3 PM to 6 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. hiking is the strongest bet in North Carolina today at 9.8/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Weather in North Carolina right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 2:58 PM, Oct 28 local time.
Weekend outlook
☁️ 71° / 57°
Overcast · 0% rain · wind 11 mph
☁️ 70° / 53°
Overcast · 28% rain · wind 10 mph
Things to do in North Carolina
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around North Carolina.
Quick facts about North Carolina
| Type | State |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 35°46′46.6″N 78°38′17.5″W (35.7796, -78.6382) |
| Capital | Raleigh |
| Population | 10.800.000 |
| Area | 53.819 sq mi |
| Abbreviation | NC |
| Time zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 2:58 PM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | April, June and October |
| Climate | Continental |
Explore North Carolina
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Best Time to Visit for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is North Carolina?
North Carolina is a state in United States. Its coordinates are 35.7796, -78.6382. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in North Carolina right now?
It is currently 53°F (11°C) with fog. Humidity is 98% and wind is 3 mph.
When is the best time to visit North Carolina?
April, June and October offer the most comfortable conditions in North Carolina, which has a continental climate. January, July and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is North Carolina in?
North Carolina observes America/New_York (UTC-04:00). The local time is 2:58 PM.
How many people live in North Carolina?
North Carolina has a population of approximately 10.8 million.
What is the nearest airport to North Carolina?
The closest airports are Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), 229 mi away and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), 230 mi away.
What are the top things to do in North Carolina?
Popular options include Chimney Rock State Park, Myrtle Beach, Grayson Highlands State Park, Shenandoah National Park, Congaree National Park and New River Gorge National Park.
What places are in North Carolina?
North Carolina covers 5 places in this atlas, including Asheville, Charlotte, Chimney Rock State Park, Raleigh and Buncombe County.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (us-states) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Official alerts | US National Weather Service. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 28, 2026 at 2:58 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
