Durham (NC) Sunshine Hours by Month

In climate discussions, the hours of sunlight reveal much about a location. This page shows the total number of hours of direct sunlight per month and the average hours per day in Durham, North Carolina, United States of America. These values are calculated using 30 years of data (1990–2020) to ensure accuracy.

Monthly hours of sunshine

If you're visiting Durham, timing is key. In June, you can enjoy up to 267 hours of sunshine, while the shorter days of December provide just 157 hours. The total annual amount of sun is 2600 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

In Durham, summer days are longer and more sunny, with daily sunshine hours peaking at 8.9 hours in June. As the darker season arrives, the brightness of the sun becomes less. December sees a soft sun for only 5.2 hours per day.

Average percent of sunshine

On average the sun shines 64% of the time during the day in April, the highest percentage of any month. December has the lowest percentage at 52%.

Durham enjoys an average of 2600 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, enjoys an impressive 2920 hours of sunshine per year, making it an ideal destination even in winter.

In contrast, Reykjavík, Iceland, receives only about 1330 hours of sunshine per year, known for its frequently overcast and rainy skies.

In Seoul, South Korea, there are approximately 2133 hours of sunshine per year, mostly during spring and autumn.

In Tokyo, Japan, the average annual sunshine is 1930 hours, with sunny periods between rainy seasons.

September, Durham’s wettest month, receives 122 mm (4.8 in) of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C (82°F). During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 10°C (50°F).

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Durham Precipitation page.