Best Time to Visit Raleigh
Best time to visit Raleigh: April, June, September and October. Month-by-month temperature, rainfall and crowd guidance.
Best time to visit Raleigh
Go in April, June, September 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 Raleigh 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° | 32° | 2,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 55° | 37° | 3,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 68° | 46° | 4,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 75° | 54° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 79° | 60° | 5,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 89° | 69° | 2,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 89° | 73° | 8,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 85° | 69° | 5,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 82° | 65° | 3,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 71° | 53° | 1,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 63° | 44° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 54° | 37° | 3,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Continental. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
How Raleigh compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Raleigh.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 130 mi | 62°F | about the same | 40 in |
| Virginia | 139 mi | 60°F | 34°F cooler | 39 in |
| Myrtle Beach | 145 mi | 65°F | +35°F warmer | 49 in |
| Myrtle Beach | 145 mi | 65°F | +35°F warmer | 49 in |
| Virginia Beach | 166 mi | 61°F | about the same | 43 in |
What to pack, what to skip
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 72°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, July and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Raleigh is a city in North Carolina. Raleigh is known for Research Triangle and museums. It has a population of about 470.000.
Right now it is 53°F (12°C) in Raleigh with clear. It feels like 51°F. Today runs from 40°F to 71°F. Chance of precipitation is 0%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.4/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Raleigh is April, June, September 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 89°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 32°F.
The closest major airport is Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), about 229 mi away. Nearby highlights include Myrtle Beach, Grayson Highlands State Park, Shenandoah National Park and Congaree National Park.
In plain terms. Today is about average for October. The forecast high of 71°F is in line with the 71°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 12 PM to 3 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. hiking is the strongest bet in Raleigh today at 10/10. 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 Raleigh right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 8:58 PM, Oct 26 local time.
Weekend outlook
☁️ 72° / 59°
Overcast · 4% rain · wind 11 mph
🌦️ 72° / 56°
Light drizzle · 32% rain · wind 15 mph
Things to do in Raleigh
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around Raleigh.
Quick facts about Raleigh
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| State | North Carolina |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 35°46′46.6″N 78°38′17.5″W (35.7796, -78.6382) |
| Population | 470.000 |
| Known for | Research Triangle and museums |
| Local time | 8:58 PM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | April, June, September and October |
| Climate | Continental |
Explore Raleigh
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 Raleigh?
Raleigh is a city in North Carolina. Its coordinates are 35.7796, -78.6382. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Raleigh right now?
It is currently 53°F (12°C) with clear. Humidity is 64% and wind is 0 mph.
When is the best time to visit Raleigh?
April, June, September and October offer the most comfortable conditions in Raleigh, which has a continental climate. January, July and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Raleigh in?
Raleigh observes America/New_York (UTC-04:00). The local time is 8:58 PM.
How many people live in Raleigh?
Raleigh has a population of approximately 470.000.
What is the nearest airport to Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
Popular options include Myrtle Beach, Grayson Highlands State Park, Shenandoah National Park, Congaree National Park, New River Gorge National Park and Chimney Rock State Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-us) - 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 26, 2026 at 8:58 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
