Raleigh Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Raleigh: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
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° | 4,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 81° | 64° | 5,1 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).
Recent extremes in Raleigh
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
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 | 48 in |
| Myrtle Beach | 145 mi | 65°F | +35°F warmer | 48 in |
| Virginia Beach | 166 mi | 61°F | about the same | 44 in |
Best time to visit Raleigh
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.
What this means for Raleigh
Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 88°F is 2.7°F above the 85°F typical for this month.
A 17% chance means most of the area stays dry; a passing shower is possible but short.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 72°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- A packable rain shell - 2 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- 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 69°F (21°C) in Raleigh with clear. It feels like 73°F. Today runs from 68°F to 88°F. Chance of precipitation is 17%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.5/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Raleigh 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 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 slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 88°F is 2.7°F above the 85°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 8 AM to 11 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. sightseeing is the strongest bet in Raleigh today at 9.5/10. 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.
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 | 9:59 AM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | April, June and October |
| Climate | Continental |
Weather map for Raleigh
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Raleigh
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate 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 69°F (21°C) with clear. Humidity is 82% and wind is 2 mph.
When is the best time to visit Raleigh?
April, June 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 9:59 AM.
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 August 24, 2026 at 9:59 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
