Raleigh (NC) Sunshine Hours by Month

To truly understand a climate, we must look at its sunshine. This page shows the total number of hours of direct sunlight per month and the average hours per day in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Those who love seasonal contrasts will appreciate Raleigh. Expect long, bright days with 267 hours in June and darker periods with just 157 hours in December. The total annual amount of sun is 2600 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

For those who appreciate different seasons, Raleigh serves as an ideal destination. Expect longer, more sun-filled days in June with an average of 8.9 hours of sunshine daily, and embrace the darker days in December, offering only 5.2 hours of daily sunlight.

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%.

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

In Lisbon, Portugal, there are approximately 2801 hours of sunshine annually, highlighting its warm and sunny Mediterranean climate.

In contrast, London, UK, receives only about 1659 hours of sunshine per year, known for its frequently overcast and rainy skies.

Boston, USA, enjoys 2629 hours of sunshine annually, with distinct seasons and many bright, sunny days.

Melbourne, Australia, has 2380 hours of sunshine annually, with its famous “four seasons in a day” weather pattern.

September, Raleigh’s wettest month, receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 28°C (82°F). During the driest month February you can expect a temperature of 12°C (54°F).

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