Raleigh in October

In October, Raleigh averages 23°C (73°F) during the day and 13°C (56°F) at night, with around 8 days of rain (92 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

It's peak hurricane season in Raleigh during October. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.

23°C
Avg high
13°C
Avg low
8
Rain days
92 mm
Rainfall

How October compares to the rest of the year in Raleigh

6th
warmest month of the 12
11th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in October
11 h 19 min
daylight on the 15th

October is in the middle of the year for warmth in Raleigh (6th of 12) and one of the driest months (11th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 1°C above the annual average (22°C). October runs 5°C cooler than September (28°C) and cools 6°C in November (16°C).

October sunrise & sunset in Raleigh

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:20 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:39 PM
Day length
11 h 19 min

Times shown for Raleigh local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of October. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Raleigh — October

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of October, in Raleigh's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:20 AM – 7:00 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:59 PM – 6:59 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:59 PM – 7:39 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Raleigh in October

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on October's tier (Shoulder) and Raleigh's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel. ⚠ Peak hazard season — book flexible-change tickets and travel insurance with weather-disruption coverage.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — October in Raleigh

Shoulder

Raleigh is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather peak hazard season (1 active)

Sun & mosquito risk — October in Raleigh

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.2
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Raleigh in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 10°C / 51°F 1°C / 34°F 102 mm 10
February 14°C / 56°F 4°C / 38°F 92 mm 10
March 17°C / 62°F 6°C / 43°F 91 mm 11
April 22°C / 72°F 11°C / 51°F 108 mm 10
May 26°C / 80°F 16°C / 60°F 100 mm 11
June 30°C / 86°F 20°C / 68°F 113 mm 13
July 32°C / 90°F 22°C / 72°F 109 mm 15
August 31°C / 87°F 21°C / 71°F 122 mm 14
September 28°C / 82°F 19°C / 66°F 146 mm 12
October 23°C / 73°F 13°C / 56°F 92 mm 8
November 16°C / 61°F 7°C / 44°F 90 mm 8
December 13°C / 56°F 4°C / 40°F 103 mm 10

Other cities with similar October weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Raleigh in October →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Raleigh in October?

In October, Raleigh averages a high of 23°C (73°F) and a low of 13°C (56°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Raleigh in October?

October sees occasional rain in Raleigh, with about 8 rainy days on average.

Is October a good time to visit Raleigh?

October is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Raleigh in October?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full October packing list for Raleigh for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Raleigh on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.