Weather & Climate in Durham, NC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Durham enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46. 62% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 410 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 410 ft (125 m) |
| Area | 110.7 sq mi (286.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,427/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.9781°N, 78.8995°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 46.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 61.7% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 88 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 299 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 234 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 277 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 222 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 261 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 252 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 238 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 260 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 243 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 134 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 192 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 202 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 88 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 160 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 2 | 98 mph | 245 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 252 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 227 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
298 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 536 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 18 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2024 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 92 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 80 km | 65.2 mi | 6 |
| Nov 15, 2008 | EF3 | 92 km | 8.2 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 60 km | 160.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 28 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 100 km | 85.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 7, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 1953 | EF3 | 76 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 98 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 13, 2019 | EF2 | 45 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 27 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 78 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 52 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 91 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 85 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 93 km |
| 2006 | OVERHILLS | 1,436 | 84 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 43 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 510 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 in |
Durham has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 42°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (2.8").