Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Raleigh has a warm climate with an average annual temperature of 71°F (22°C). Winters average 58°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 314 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 51.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 70 feet.
Temperature
58°F Jan (15°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
71.3°F
32% above US avg
January Average
58°F (15°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
314 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
70 ft (21 m)
Area
1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density
360/sq mi
Coordinates
29.4479°N, 82.4681°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Alachua County County
Nearest Airport
Gainesville Regional (GNV) 20 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall51.6"
36% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)8.07"
Driest Month (Oct)2.32"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
90.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
34.8 / 100
Community Resilience
81.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Hurricane History
21 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 5.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2024
Helene
Category 4
138 mph
129 km
2024
Milton
Category 3
121 mph
187 km
2024
Debby
Category 1
81 mph
103 km
2023
Idalia
Category 4
132 mph
117 km
2022
Ian
Category 4
144 mph
236 km
2022
Nicole
Category 1
75 mph
295 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
270 km
2018
Michael
Category 5
161 mph
291 km
2017
Irma
Category 1
92 mph
141 km
2016
Matthew
Category 4
127 mph
173 km
2016
Hermine
Category 1
81 mph
173 km
2004
Charley
Category 4
144 mph
129 km
2004
Jeanne
Category 3
121 mph
167 km
2004
Frances
Category 2
109 mph
240 km
2000
Gordon
Category 1
75 mph
207 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
259 km
1995
Erin
Category 1
86 mph
229 km
1985
Elena
Category 3
127 mph
148 km
1985
Kate
Category 2
98 mph
239 km
1985
Bob
Category 1
75 mph
223 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
399 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 20 fatalities, 203 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Feb 2, 2007
EF3
75 km
16.2 mi
8
Feb 27, 1984
EF3
95 km
7.0 mi
0
Apr 9, 1983
EF3
81 km
10.0 mi
3
Dec 31, 1975
EF3
50 km
2.0 mi
1
Feb 25, 1960
EF3
85 km
0.8 mi
0
Oct 12, 2023
EF2
68 km
5.6 mi
0
Mar 7, 2008
EF2
84 km
1.5 mi
1
Dec 25, 2006
EF2
74 km
2.7 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
53 km
22.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 2001
EF2
84 km
12.0 mi
0
Sep 3, 1998
EF2
53 km
4.5 mi
0
Apr 24, 1995
EF2
75 km
10.0 mi
0
Jan 7, 1995
EF2
60 km
12.0 mi
1
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
47 km
15.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1993
EF2
40 km
1.0 mi
3
Jun 25, 1988
EF2
70 km
2.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1987
EF2
98 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 14, 1986
EF2
27 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 31, 1985
EF2
93 km
5.0 mi
0
Feb 27, 1984
EF2
57 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (59,179 acres, 2001).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2001
UNNAMED
59,179
78 km
1998
OAK
21,478
97 km
2004
UNNAMED
18,577
99 km
2014
UNNAMED
14,543
98 km
1998
UNNAMED
13,873
78 km
2007
UNNAMED
13,806
54 km
2006
JUNIPER
11,998
80 km
2009
JUNIPER SPRINGS
8,363
79 km
2018
UNNAMED
8,334
94 km
1998
UNNAMED
7,078
45 km
2005
UNNAMED
6,572
100 km
2011
SANTE FE
6,497
54 km
2006
UNNAMED
5,979
99 km
2018
UNNAMED
5,537
95 km
2012
UNNAMED
5,431
100 km
1991
UNNAMED
4,948
97 km
2004
UNNAMED
4,924
95 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,864
71 km
2010
UNNAMED
4,859
75 km
2020
CPT 45/48 CHURCH POND
4,852
100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
58°F (15°C)
3.8 in
February
58°F (14°C)
3.9 in
March
63°F (17°C)
4.1 in
April
68°F (20°C)
2.7 in
May
75°F (24°C)
3.6 in
June
79°F (26°C)
7.0 in
July
82°F (28°C)
7.4 in
Warmest
August
81°F (27°C)
8.1 in
Wettest
September
79°F (26°C)
5.7 in
October
71°F (22°C)
2.3 in
Driest
November
64°F (18°C)
2.4 in
December
58°F (14°C)
2.9 in
Coldest
Raleigh has a seasonal temperature swing of 25°F / from 58°F in December to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (8.1") and October the driest (2.3").