Durham (NC) Temperatures: Monthly Averages and Year-Round Insights

On this page, we’ll explore Durham’s temperature statistics in detail, including day and night variations and monthly averages. We’ll also compare the annual temperature to other cities in the United States of America.

Monthly Temperature Averages

Visitors to Durham will encounter a climate influenced by big temperature differences across the year. Average maximum daytime temperatures reach a very warm 32°C in July. In January, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a chilly 10°C. At night, minimum temperatures can drop even lower, averaging around -2°C.

The chart below illustrates the average maximum day and minimum night temperatures in Durham by month:

The lowest temperatures typically occur between 4 AM and 6 AM, while the peak temperatures are generally observed around 3 PM, when the sun's heating is most intense. July, the city’s warmest month, enjoys 259 hours of sunshine.

The chart below shows the average temperature throughout the year:

January, the city’s coldest month, receives about 67 mm of rainfall spread over roughly 10 days. For more information, please visit our Durham Precipitation page.

Annual Temperatures in the United States of America Compared

The map below shows the annual temperature across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.

Annual

Annual

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Legend

very warm

warm

pleasant

moderate

cold

very cold

Very warm means maximum temperatures above 30°C. Warm: 22°C to 30°C. Pleasant: 18°C to 22°C Moderate: 12°C to 18°C. Cold: 2°C to 12°C. Very cold: lower than 2°C

Durham Temperatures Compared World Wide

Durham’s average annual maximum temperature is 22°C. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual temperature is around 21°C, resulting in warm summers and mild winters throughout the year.

In Toronto, Canada, the average annual temperature is 13°C, with snowy winters and warm summers.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 23°C, featuring hot summers and mild winters.

Perth, Australia, experiences a Mediterranean climate, with a pleasant average temperature of 25°C.

How does the temperature feel?

Humidity is an essential factor in how you experience temperature. When a warm period is accompanied by high humidity, it results in a higher perceived temperature. This is especially true when temperatures exceed 25°C, as it can cause greater discomfort.

On the other hand, in cooler months, especially when temperatures dip below 10°C, high humidity can intensify the cold. This makes the air feel much colder than it really is.

In Durham, during the coolest month, January, you will experience 66% humidity, which is considered high. This is accompanied by an average maximum temperature of 10°C. In the warmest month, July, the humidity is 76% combined with an average maximum temperature of 32°C, which creates a high-feel temperature. Explore our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.

How are these Temperatures Measured?

Generally, temperature data depicting climate is usually given over a 30-year average in order to reduce short-term fluctuations and reveal better long-term trends in climate conditions.

This temperature data is taken from land-based thermometers, ocean buoys, ships, and satellites. These measurements are transmitted to weather stations and climate centers around the globe where they are processed, averaged, and analyzed in order to monitor the trends and create climate models.