North Carolina weather and outdoor projects
North Carolina has three regions with different weather. Charlotte and Raleigh in the Piedmont have hot, humid summers and mild winters with occasional ice. The coast is warmer in winter and exposed to hurricanes, and the mountains around Asheville are cooler, wetter and get earlier frost.
Fall is often the best season for outdoor projects, with drier air and steadier weather. Spring is good too, though pine pollen in March and April can stick to wet finishes. Summer afternoon storms and humid nights make early starts important.
Frost dates in North Carolina
In Charlotte, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 30 and the median first fall freeze is around November 3, a frost-free season of about 221 days.
In Raleigh–Durham, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 31 and the median first fall freeze is around November 4, a frost-free season of about 219 days.
In Asheville, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around April 9 and the median first fall freeze is around October 28, a frost-free season of about 201 days.
How North Carolina compares with other states
Charlotte is tied for the 7th-longest deck staining season of the 50 state main stations (5 good months). Charlotte has the 15th-fewest freezing nights of the 50 state main stations (58 a year). Charlotte has the 16th-most days at 90°F or hotter of the 50 state main stations (49 a year).
| Measure (Charlotte) | Value | Rank, highest first |
|---|---|---|
| Deck staining season | 5 good months | 7th of 50 |
| Frost-free season | 221 days | 19th of 50 |
| Freezing nights | 58 a year | 36th of 50 |
| Rainy days | 73 a year with 0.1 in or more | 25th of 50 |
| Days at 90°F or hotter | 49 a year | 16th of 50 |
| Summer afternoons | 50% humidity at 3 PM, June–August | 20th of 47 |
Best time to stain a deck in North Carolina
In Charlotte, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. March, July–August and November can also work on the right days. December–January is too cold, with average highs around 54°F. In February, nights average about 35°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March and November, nights average about 41°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Raleigh–Durham, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. March, June–August and November can also work on the right days. December–January is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. In February, nights average about 34°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Asheville, the most reliable months are May and September. April, June–August and October can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 51°F. In March and November, nights average about 37°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August averages about 8 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to paint outside in North Carolina
In Charlotte, the most reliable months are April–June and September–October. February–March, July–August and November–December can also work on the right days. In January, nights average about 32°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. February and December are cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 41°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. July–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Raleigh–Durham, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. February–March, June–August and November–December can also work on the right days. In January, nights average about 32°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. February and December are cool, with highs around 55°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Asheville, the most reliable months are May and September–October. March–April, June–August and November can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. In February and December, nights average about 31°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March–April and November, nights average about 39°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August averages about 8 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to pour concrete in North Carolina
In Charlotte, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 64°F, Nov 63°F). December–February averages about 14 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 7 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Raleigh–Durham, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 63°F, Nov 63°F). December–February averages about 16 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 8 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
In Asheville, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 69°F, Oct 70°F). November–March averages about 17 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. April and October bring about 2 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.
Best time to seal a driveway in North Carolina
In Charlotte, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 73°F, Oct 73°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 55°F. In March and November, nights average about 41°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 50°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Raleigh–Durham, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 73°F, Oct 73°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 54°F. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 50°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.
In Asheville, the most reliable months are May and September. April, June–August and October can also work on the right days. November–March is too cold, with average highs around 55°F. In April and October, nights average about 45°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August averages about 8 wet days a month, so wait for a clear stretch.
Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in North Carolina
In Charlotte, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. June–August and December–February can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 55°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Raleigh–Durham, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. June–August and December–February can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 54°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 89°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.
In Asheville, the most reliable months are April–October. February–March and November–December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. February–March and November–December are cool, with highs around 56°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.
How the weather differs across North Carolina
| Place | Hottest month avg high | Coldest month avg low | Rain per year | Last spring freeze | First fall freeze |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 90°F | 32°F | 44 in | March 30 | November 3 |
| Raleigh–Durham | 91°F | 32°F | 46 in | March 31 | November 4 |
| Asheville | 85°F | 29°F | 50 in | April 9 | October 28 |
Of the places above, Charlotte has the most good months for staining, painting and concrete combined (17 job-months), and Asheville has the fewest (10).
Monthly weather in Charlotte
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F | 32°F | 7 | 3.5 in | 44% | 17 |
| February | 57°F | 35°F | 6 | 3.1 in | 41% | 12 |
| March | 64°F | 41°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 39% | 6 |
| April | 73°F | 49°F | 6 | 3.8 in | 40% | 1 |
| May | 80°F | 58°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 47% | 0 |
| June | 87°F | 66°F | 7 | 4.0 in | 49% | 0 |
| July | 90°F | 70°F | 6 | 3.7 in | 50% | 0 |
| August | 89°F | 69°F | 6 | 4.3 in | 51% | 0 |
| September | 83°F | 63°F | 5 | 3.7 in | 50% | 0 |
| October | 73°F | 50°F | 4 | 3.2 in | 47% | 1 |
| November | 63°F | 40°F | 5 | 3.3 in | 43% | 7 |
| December | 55°F | 35°F | 6 | 3.6 in | 46% | 14 |
*Days with 0.1 inch of rain or more; column notes.
Monthly weather in Raleigh–Durham
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 52°F | 32°F | 7 | 3.4 in | 45% | 18 |
| February | 56°F | 34°F | 6 | 2.8 in | 42% | 14 |
| March | 63°F | 40°F | 7 | 4.1 in | 40% | 8 |
| April | 73°F | 49°F | 6 | 3.5 in | 42% | 1 |
| May | 80°F | 58°F | 7 | 3.4 in | 49% | 0 |
| June | 87°F | 66°F | 7 | 3.9 in | 50% | 0 |
| July | 91°F | 70°F | 8 | 5.0 in | 52% | 0 |
| August | 89°F | 69°F | 7 | 4.7 in | 53% | 0 |
| September | 83°F | 63°F | 6 | 5.2 in | 53% | 0 |
| October | 73°F | 50°F | 5 | 3.4 in | 50% | 1 |
| November | 63°F | 40°F | 5 | 3.3 in | 45% | 8 |
| December | 55°F | 34°F | 6 | 3.4 in | 48% | 15 |
Monthly weather in Asheville
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Wet days* | Rain | 3 PM humidity | Freezing nights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 49°F | 29°F | 6 | 4.1 in | 47% | 22 |
| February | 53°F | 31°F | 7 | 3.5 in | 44% | 18 |
| March | 60°F | 37°F | 8 | 3.8 in | 42% | 11 |
| April | 69°F | 45°F | 7 | 4.2 in | 41% | 2 |
| May | 76°F | 53°F | 7 | 4.1 in | 49% | 0 |
| June | 83°F | 61°F | 8 | 4.8 in | 55% | 0 |
| July | 85°F | 65°F | 9 | 4.7 in | 57% | 0 |
| August | 84°F | 64°F | 8 | 5.0 in | 58% | 0 |
| September | 79°F | 58°F | 6 | 4.1 in | 54% | 0 |
| October | 70°F | 46°F | 4 | 3.4 in | 47% | 2 |
| November | 60°F | 36°F | 6 | 3.7 in | 44% | 13 |
| December | 52°F | 31°F | 7 | 4.2 in | 49% | 19 |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 for CHARLOTTE DOUGLAS AP, RALEIGH DURHAM INTL AP, ASHEVILLE RGNL AP. See how the ratings work and how late in fall you can stain, paint or seal.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to stain a deck in North Carolina?
In Charlotte, April–June and September–October. In Raleigh–Durham, April–May and September–October. In Asheville, May and September.
When is the last frost in North Carolina?
Charlotte: around March 30; Raleigh–Durham: around March 31; Asheville: around April 9.
Can you pour concrete in winter in North Carolina?
Yes, with cold-weather practices: Charlotte averages about 43 freezing nights from December to February, so fresh concrete needs insulated blankets, a heated enclosure or an accelerated mix, and must not freeze in the first 48 hours. Many homeowners wait for spring.
What months are best for sealing a driveway in North Carolina?
In Charlotte, May–September. In Raleigh–Durham, May–September. In Asheville, May and September.