Wilmington, NC Weather by Month and Climate Averages

Wilmington, NC gets 60.1 in of precipitation a year over about 122 rainy days, and about 0.9 in of snow a season. July is the warmest month (average high 90°F) and January the coldest (average low 36°F).

Wilmington climate at a glance

Humid subtropical climate

Wilmington, NC has hot summers and mild winters. Daytime highs range from about 57°F in January to 90°F in July. September is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to April and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.

How much rain does Wilmington get?

Wilmington gets 60.1 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 122 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 79% of the US.

September is the wettest month, with 8.7 in. April is the driest, with 3.1 in. August has the most rainy days, about 14.

The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 21 days, to November 10, 2023.

See where Wilmington ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in North Carolina.

Does it snow in Wilmington?

Yes. Wilmington gets about 0.9 in of snow in an average season, measured at the reporting station.

The snowiest winter on record is 1989–90, with 15.3 in.

The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on February 1, 2026.

See where Wilmington ranks: snowiest cities in the US.

Wilmington weather by month

Wilmington weather in January

In January, Wilmington averages a high of 57°F and a low of 36°F. It gets 3.8 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. The sun is out about 47% of daylight hours. The January record high is 83°F (2024) and the record low is 5°F (1985).

Wilmington weather in February

In February, Wilmington averages a high of 60°F and a low of 38°F. It gets 3.5 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. The sun is out about 39% of daylight hours. The February record high is 86°F (2023) and the record low is 11°F (1996).

Wilmington weather in March

In March, Wilmington averages a high of 66°F and a low of 44°F. It gets 4.0 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. The sun is out about 42% of daylight hours. The March record high is 90°F (2026) and the record low is 9°F (1980). March is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

Wilmington weather in April

In April, Wilmington averages a high of 75°F and a low of 53°F. It gets 3.1 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. The sun is out about 57% of daylight hours. The April record high is 94°F (1990) and the record low is 29°F (2007). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

Wilmington weather in May

In May, Wilmington averages a high of 81°F and a low of 61°F. It gets 4.5 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. The sun is out about 42% of daylight hours. The May record high is 101°F (2019) and the record low is 38°F (1989).

Wilmington weather in June

In June, Wilmington averages a high of 87°F and a low of 69°F. It gets 5.7 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. The sun is out about 39% of daylight hours. The June record high is 103°F (2012) and the record low is 48°F (1983).

Wilmington weather in July

In July, Wilmington averages a high of 90°F and a low of 73°F. It gets 6.9 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. The sun is out about 35% of daylight hours. The July record high is 102°F (1977) and the record low is 55°F (1988).

Wilmington weather in August

In August, Wilmington averages a high of 88°F and a low of 72°F. It gets 8.2 in of precipitation over about 14 rainy days. The sun is out about 38% of daylight hours. The August record high is 103°F (1999) and the record low is 55°F (2004).

Wilmington weather in September

In September, Wilmington averages a high of 84°F and a low of 66°F. It gets 8.7 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. The sun is out about 44% of daylight hours. The September record high is 98°F (1975) and the record low is 44°F (1981).

Wilmington weather in October

In October, Wilmington averages a high of 76°F and a low of 56°F. It gets 4.7 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. The sun is out about 59% of daylight hours. The October record high is 98°F (2019) and the record low is 30°F (1976). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

Wilmington weather in November

In November, Wilmington averages a high of 67°F and a low of 45°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. The sun is out about 52% of daylight hours. The November record high is 87°F (1974) and the record low is 20°F (1970). November is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

Wilmington weather in December

In December, Wilmington averages a high of 60°F and a low of 39°F. It gets 3.7 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. The sun is out about 51% of daylight hours. The December record high is 82°F (1998) and the record low is 0°F (1989).

Sunshine, humidity and wind in Wilmington

October is the sunniest month in Wilmington, with sunshine about 59% of daylight hours. July is the cloudiest, at 35%. Over the year the sun shines about 45% of daylight hours. Wilmington is cloudier than 56% of the US.

Humidity peaks in July at 81% and is lowest in April at 64%.

Wind averages 8 mph over the year, and April is the windiest month at 9 mph.

Wilmington has about 47 days a year above 90°F. Wilmington is hotter than 66% of the US.

Thunderstorms occur on about 49 days a year.

See where Wilmington ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.

First and last freeze in Wilmington

The first fall freeze in Wilmington typically comes around November 18, and the last spring freeze around March 17. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 246 days.

Wilmington weather records

The hottest temperature on record at the Wilmington station is 103°F, on August 1, 1999. The coldest is 0°F, on December 25, 1989.

The wettest day on record brought 13.4 in of rain, on September 15, 1999.

38 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.

The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.4°F per decade since 1970.

The best time to visit Wilmington

The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to April and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.

Winter (December–February) is mild, with average highs around 59°F and lows near 38°F. Snow is possible.

Spring (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 74°F and lows near 52°F.

Summer (June–August) is hot, with average highs around 88°F and lows near 71°F. It can feel humid.

Autumn (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 76°F and lows near 56°F.

Monthly climate

MonthPrecipRain daysWindHumiditySunshineSea tempRecord highRecord low
January3.8 in108 mph69%47%55°83°
February3.5 in98 mph70%39%53°86°11°
March4.0 in109 mph66%42%58°90°
April3.1 in89 mph64%57%64°94°29°
May4.5 in108 mph72%42%71°101°38°
June5.7 in117 mph76%39%77°103°48°
July6.9 in137 mph81%35%82°102°55°
August8.2 in146 mph81%38%82°103°55°
September8.7 in117 mph77%44%80°98°44°
October4.7 in87 mph74%59%73°98°30°
November3.6 in97 mph71%52%67°87°20°
December3.7 in107 mph72%51%59°82°

From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.

Wilmington climate questions

How much rain does Wilmington get?

Wilmington gets 60.1 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 122 rainy days.

What is the wettest month in Wilmington?

September is the wettest month in Wilmington, with 8.7 in. April is the driest, with 3.1 in.

How many rainy days does Wilmington have a year?

Wilmington has about 122 days with measurable rain in an average year. August has the most, about 14.

Does it snow in Wilmington?

Yes. Wilmington gets about 0.9 in of snow in an average season. The snowiest winter on record is 1989–90, with 15.3 in.

What is the hottest month in Wilmington?

July is the warmest month in Wilmington, with an average high of 90°F.

What is the coldest month in Wilmington?

January is the coldest month in Wilmington, with an average low of 36°F.

What is the record high temperature in Wilmington?

The record high at the Wilmington station is 103°F, set on August 1, 1999. The record low is 0°F, on December 25, 1989.

What is the sunniest month in Wilmington?

October is the sunniest month in Wilmington, with sunshine about 59% of daylight hours. July is the cloudiest.

When is the first frost in Wilmington?

The first fall freeze in Wilmington typically comes around November 18. The last spring freeze is around March 17.

What is the best time to visit Wilmington?

The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to April and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.

Source: NOAA GHCN-Daily station WILMINGTON INTL AP (6 km away).

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Normals from NOAA GHCN-Daily station WILMINGTON INTL AP.