Weather StoryAlmanac, microseasons, and the day's weather story.

Durham, North Carolina Weather

Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night. Day 43 of summer. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Durham weather forecast — hour by hour, 7-day outlook, NOAA radar

Durham, NC
Sunday, August 2 at 10:58 AM
82
°
Overcast
Feels like
90°
Humidity
80%
Wind
9 mph
Sunrise
2:24 AM
Sunset
4:19 PM
Durham, NC
Hour by hour · 24h
24-Hour ForecastDurham, NC: 24-hour forecast. Temperatures range from 73 to 87 degrees Fahrenheit with a 32% chance of precipitation at 8 PM.
L 73°H 87°
Durham, NC
7-day forecast
  1. Today
    Aug 2
    Light Showers
    32%
    0.11″
    87°75°—
  2. Monday
    Aug 3
    Overcast
    29%
    —
    86°73°-1°
  3. Tuesday
    Aug 4
    Light Showers
    70%
    0.06″
    80°73°-6°
  4. Wednesday
    Aug 5
    Thunderstorm
    50%
    —
    87°71°+7°
  5. Thursday
    Aug 6
    Light Drizzle
    36%
    —
    94°72°+7°
  6. Friday
    Aug 7
    Light Drizzle
    34%
    0.02″
    96°75°+2°
  7. Saturday
    Aug 8
    Overcast
    28%
    —
    97°74°+1°
Durham, NC
Next 24 hours · Mild now
HOT 90°70°80°90°12p6p12a6anow 79°high 87°low 73°PRECIP %
Durham, NC
Anemometer · 24h winds · from true
NESW
From · True
SSE
162° · backing 22°
Direction
SSE
162°
Sustained
9
mph
Gust
17
mph
Peak 24h
26
avg 6 mph
Beaufort · 3 · GENTLE BRZ
0
CALM
<1
1
LIGHT AIR
1–3
2
LIGHT BRZ
4–7
3
GENTLE BRZ
8–12
4
MOD BRZ
13–18
5
FRESH BRZ
19–24
6
STRONG BRZ
25–31
7
NEAR GALE
32–38
24h · sust vs gust · mph
avg 6 mph · pk 26 mph @ 9:00p
0102030MPHB1B2B3B4B5B6-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOWpk 277SUSTGUST
−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Light breeze backing 22° from the sse.
Durham, NC
Barometer · 24h pressure · mb
STORMRAINCHANGEFAIRDRY9901000101010201030
Pressure · mb
996.6
+0.5 mb in 3h · steady · 29.43 inHg
Now
996.6
mb
3h
+0.5
mb
12h
-0.6
mb
24h
-3.0
mb
Regime · STORM
STORM
RAIN
CHANGE
FAIR
DRY
24h · Pressure · mb
range 996–1000
9909951000STORM|RAIN10051010RAIN|CHG1015CHG|FAIR10201025FAIR|DRY1030-21h-18h-15h-12h-9h-6h-3h-24hNOW1000.2996.1997.1
Deep low — expect rough seas, strong wind, and persistent rain.
Durham, NC
Air quality
46
AQI
Good
→-4 in 6h

AQI 46 (Good), driven by Ozone. AQI flat over the last 6 hours (within ±4 points). Ozone at AQI 41 now. With UV 2.4 peaking around 1 PM under clear skies, surface ozone likely climbs to AQI 13.

OK No precautions needed for the general population; unusually sensitive individuals may consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion.

PM 2.5Good
5.3μg/m³
PM 10Good
6μg/m³
NO₂Good
2μg/m³
OzoneDRIVERModerate
86μg/m³
UV IndexLow
1.7

What's driving it

Ozone × UV × Sky

Ozone at AQI 41 now. With UV 2.4 peaking around 1 PM under clear skies, surface ozone likely climbs to AQI 13.

Present
AQI 41
UV peak
2.4 at 1 PM
Sky at peak
clear
Projected peak
AQI 13

PM × Wind × Precip

PM2.5 at 5.3 µg/m³, PM10 at 5.9 µg/m³ — typical background levels with no transport signature.

PM2.5/PM10
0.90
Wind
light
Recent rain
0h in last 6h
Pattern
background

Trends

Seven days of AQI and PM2.5.

Hourly air-quality data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, charted across the past and next several days. Dashed lines mark the AQI breakpoints at 50 (Good → Moderate) and 100 (Moderate → Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups).

7-DAY AQI TREND50100SUNMONTUEWEDTHUFRISATSUN7-DAY PM2.5 TREND · μg/m³440
Durham, NC
Sky cover · visibility · 24h
Cloud cover
91%
OVERCAST
100%0%−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Visibility
38.1mi
UNLIMITED
82 mi0 mi−24h−18h−12h−6hnow
Earth · GOES-19 ABI
Full Disk · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 full disk Visible · GeoColor
True-color daytime, blue/IR sandwich at night
14:58 UTC · Durham, NC · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · up to 10848 px
Continental US · GOES-19 ABI
CONUS Sector · Visible · GeoColor
GOES-19 CONUS Visible · GeoColor
Daytime true-color, blue-light/IR sandwich at night
14:58 UTC · Durham, NC · NOAA NESDIS / STAR · 5-min cadence · up to 10000 px
Durham, NC
Satellite · infrared · animated
Durham, NC
Loading IR frames…
IR · cloud-top temp© RainViewer · Carto
Durham, NC
Almanac · Sunday, August 2
Red sky at night, sailor's delight.
Civil dawn
5:56 AM
Sunrise
2:24 AM
Daylight
13h 55m
Sunset
4:19 PM
Civil dusk
8:49 PM
Planting note
Sow fall peas. Start kale and collard seedlings for fall.
Durham, NC
The moon
Waning Gibbous
84% illuminated
Moonrise
9:57 PM
Moonset
10:18 AM
In sign
♓︎ Pisces
Durham, NC
Microseason
Aug 1–5

Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night

celestial
Jan 159% of the yearDec 31

Read this microseason across nine climate regions →

Durham at a glance

  • Today vs. normal: 15°F above the seasonal normal for this latitude
  • Last frost: March 23 (climatological average for this latitude)
  • Microseason: Aug 1–5
  • Planting window: Sow fall peas. Start kale and collard seedlings for fall.

ZIP codes: 27701, 27703, 27704, 27705, 27707, 27708, 27709, 27712 +1 more

16-Day Forecast — Durham

  1. Sun87°75°32%
  2. Mon86°73°29%
  3. Tue80°73°70%
  4. Wed87°71°50%
  5. Thu94°72°36%
  6. Fri96°75°34%
  7. Sat97°74°28%
  8. Sun91°75°27%
  9. Mon96°73°22%
  10. Tue102°75°23%
  11. Wed95°74°23%
  12. Thu100°75°27%
  13. Fri99°75°32%
  14. Sat98°78°38%
  15. Sun98°76°48%
  16. Mon97°78°32%

Forecast data from Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0).

Live wind & temperature near Durham

Right now in the garden

Peak growing season

As of August 2, 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.

SPC Convective Outlook

Storm Prediction Center — Durham

SPC has placed Durham in the Marginal Risk category for severe thunderstorms today.

  • TODAYMRGLMarginal Risk
  • TOMORROWTSTMGeneral Thunderstorms
  • DAY 3TSTMGeneral Thunderstorms

Isolated severe storms possible. Limited threat for hail or damaging wind.

Source: NOAA / NWS Storm Prediction Center categorical convective outlook. Outlooks are re-issued multiple times per day; this page reflects the most recent SPC polygons covering the city’s coordinates.

Sun & seasons in Durham

Durham sits in Durham County, where the year’s longest day runs 14h 36m of daylight and its shortest just 9h 43m — a swing of +4h 54m between the June and December solstices. Clocks spring forward on Sunday, March 8, 2026 and fall back on Sunday, November 1, 2026.

Charlotte, the state’s largest city, lies about 121 miles to the WSW. The nearest town Durham tracks is Cary, roughly 14 miles to the SSE.

Air quality in Durham’s county has trended dirtier since 2020; its cleanest year on record was 2020 (median AQI 40). See the full air-quality history for Durham.

January 1–5: Frost quiets the live oaks.January 6–10: Still water thickens with ice.January 11–15: Springs begin to move beneath ice.January 16–20: Cardinal dawn calls grow bolder.January 21–25: Late January thaw pulses.January 26–31: Last freeze locks the land.February 1–5: February's lengthening light.February 6–10: Warming winds thaw the margin.February 11–15: Magnolia blooms break the gray.February 16–20: Mockingbirds resume the dawn chorus.February 21–25: Rain replaces the last snow.February 26–28: Mist clings to greening valleys.March 1–5: The green pulse awakens.March 6–10: Hibernators emerge to call.March 11–15: Dogwood and redbud ignite.March 16–20: Swallowtails emerge from winter silk.March 21–25: Light crowns the dogwood canopy.March 26–31: Redbud cascades over the thaw.April 1–5: Thunder announces the wet season.April 6–10: Barn swallows carve the warming sky.April 11–15: Magnolia blooms and falls in a breath.April 16–20: First rainbows arch over thunderheads.April 21–25: Reeds push through marsh water.April 26–30: Frost retreats; seedlings rise free.May 1–5: Warblers flood the canopy in waves.May 6–10: Tulip poplar lights the forest crown.May 11–15: Shad pulse upstream through rapids.May 16–20: Roses open on the Piedmont edge.May 21–25: Fireflies scout the humid dusk.May 26–31: Frog choruses rise from every wetland.June 1–5: Fireflies pulse through the magnolias.June 6–10: Kudzu climbs deeper into green.June 11–15: Sun climbs to its northern throne.June 16–20: Heat settles and the rain begins.June 21–25: The longest day turns toward shadow.June 26–30: Fireflies drift through Spanish moss.July 1–5: Cicadas claim the scorching afternoon.July 6–10: Thunderheads boil and break at dusk.July 11–15: Thunder builds each drowsy afternoon.July 16–20: Cicadas claim the long noon.July 21–25: Dog days drape the earth in haze.July 26–31: Katydids begin their rasping chorus.August 1–5: Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night.August 6–10: Meteorological summer's turning page.August 11–15: Cool winds gather at the margins.August 16–20: Dog-day cicadas rise.August 21–25: Heat breaks in creek beds.August 26–31: Monarchs gather strength.September 1–5: Harvests begin in earnest.September 6–10: Dew beads on resurrection fern.September 11–15: Raptors trail the thermals.September 16–20: Day and dark find balance.September 21–25: Thunder quiets the land.September 26–30: Insects retreat below.October 1–5: Swamp waters recede.October 6–10: Maples ignite the ridge.October 11–15: Asters crown the meadows.October 16–20: Crickets sing at dusk.October 21–25: Frost paints the garden.October 26–31: Light rains whisper down.November 1–5: Sweetgum Turns Crimson.November 6–10: Camellia Blooms Break Through.November 11–15: Earth Stiffens Underfoot.November 16–20: Bare Limbs Hold the Light.November 21–25: First Frost Grips the High Ground.November 26–30: North Wind Strips the Last Leaves.December 1–5: Darkness Falls Before Dinner.December 6–10: Winter Locks the Land.December 11–15: Wildlife Retreats to Shelter.December 16–20: Ice Edges Deepen Inward.December 21–25: The Sun Begins its Return.December 26–31: The Year Turns in Silence.🌱February 14 — First skunk-cabbage spathes thaw their way up☀️March 20 — Spring equinox — day and night balance🌸April 5 — Cherry blossoms peak in the parks🐦May 10 — Warbler migration peaks along the coast✨May 25 — First fireflies scout the meadows at dusk🌞June 21 — Summer solstice — longest day🦗July 25 — Peak cicada chorus in the afternoons🌊August 18 — Warmest sea-surface temperatures of the year🍂September 22 — Autumn equinox — the slow turn❄️October 25 — First widespread frost in the suburbs🍁November 10 — Peak leaf color across the Hudson Valley🌙December 21 — Winter solstice — longest night

Microseason · August 1–5

Dusk arrives one minute earlier each night

Sunset slides back toward 8 PM; darkness creeps in, signaling summer's decline though heat persists.

Day 214 of 365 · Wedge 43 of 72

The solar year drawn as a wheel of 72 five-day windows. Each wedge is one microseason; the four colored arcs mark winter, spring, summer, and autumn; the small icons sit at notable phenological events. The crimson pointer creeps clockwise as the year turns.

Planting calendar

MonthPlantHarvest
January——
February——
Marchlettuce, peas, spinach, radishes—
Aprillettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash—
Maytomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
Junetomatoes, peppers, beans, squashlettuce, peas, radishes
July—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
August—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
September—tomatoes, beans, summer squash
Octoberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrotswinter squash, tomatoes (last)
Novemberfall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots—
December——

A year in weather

The year in Durham tops out in July (~78°F) and dips lowest in January (~38°F), with June wettest at 5.2 inches and February driest at 2.9 inches.

MonthMean tempPrecipRainy days
January38°4.0″6
February41°2.9″6
March49°4.5″8
April58°3.7″7
May66°3.8″7
June74°5.2″7
July78°4.2″7
August76°5.2″7
September70°4.7″5
October59°3.4″5
November49°3.6″5
December42°3.3″6

Regional context

By the nearest station's NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals, Durham sees 38°F Januarys and 78°F Julys, a 40°F range, plus around 48.6 inches of precipitation across 77 days.

Rainfall in Durham stays even across the calendar: June tops out at 5.2 inches over 7.4 rainy days, and February still logs 2.9 inches across 6.2 — a narrow range for Durham. That even rhythm groups Durham with places like Gorman, NC, Chapel Hill, NC and Carolina Meadows, NC.

The cool-season window in Durham starts at mid-March, when nights stop freezing — think peas, lettuce, spinach, and radishes. In Durham, warm-season transplants — tomatoes, peppers, basil — wait two weeks past Durham's frost date. It shuts near mid-December, when freezes return to Durham and tender plants need cover. In Durham, low spots run 4-7°F colder than nearby slopes, nudging Durham's frost dates a week.

Similar climates: Gorman, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Carolina Meadows, NC, Morrisville, NC, Carrboro, NC.

Naturalist notes

Late April brings the arrival of ruby-throated hummingbirds returning from their winter grounds.

Dogwood trees typically reach peak bloom during mid to late April across the region.

Frequently asked

When does it freeze in Durham?
Durham's last spring frost lands near mid-March, and in Durham the first fall frost follows around mid-December.
What is the rainy season in Durham?
Rainfall in Durham peaks in June near 5.2 inches, out of about 49 inches annually.
What is the warmest month in Durham?
The warmest stretch in Durham comes in July, around 78°F on average.
What is the coldest month in Durham?
On average January is the chilliest month in Durham, about 38°F.
When can I start a vegetable garden in Durham?
Durham's last frost (mid-March) cues hardy greens; in Durham, hold heat-lovers two weeks past.
How many rainy days does Durham get?
Durham records around 77 days of measurable precipitation annually.
What hardiness zone is Durham?
Durham sits in the USDA zone set by January lows near 38°F; the USDA ZIP tool gives the band.
What is the 10-day forecast for Durham?
Durham's extended outlook — daily high and low temperatures and precipitation chances for each upcoming day — is in the daily forecast above.
Will it rain this week in Durham?
See this week's day-by-day rain chances for Durham in the daily forecast above, and the next 24 hours in the hourly chart.
What is the weather like right now in Durham?
Current conditions for Durham and the next 24 hours — temperature, precipitation chance, and wind by the hour — are in the hourly forecast chart above.
How often is the Durham forecast updated?
The Durham forecast on this page is built from Open-Meteo weather-model data and refreshes regularly through the day.
When are sunrise and sunset in Durham?
Today's sunrise and sunset times for Durham are in the Almanac section above, along with civil dawn, civil dusk, and day length. Day length is longest near the summer solstice and shortest near the winter solstice.
How accurate is the weather forecast for Durham?
The next few days in Durham's forecast are the most reliable; accuracy declines beyond about a week as weather-model uncertainty grows.

Climate

Durham, North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate: January averages roughly 38°F, July about 78°F, 40°F between them.

Across the year, Durham collects about 49 inches of precipitation over roughly 77 days with measurable rain or snow.

At 36.0°N, Durham's 40°F summer-to-winter swing sets when Durham's gardens wake and when frost returns.

All cities in North Carolina →

Charlotte, NC weather →

ZIP codes in Durham

  • 27703
  • 27705
  • 27704
  • 27707
  • 27701
  • 27708
  • 27712
  • 27713
  • 27706
  • 27710
  • 27715
  • 27717
  • 27722

Climate normals from the Open-Meteo Climate API. Köppen approximation from NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Regions. See methodology for data sources, editorial rules, and corrections. Maintainer: Brian Tighe.