Weather in Wilmington

Stay up to date with current weather conditions in Wilmington. In this section, you will find the latest data, forecasts, and useful charts to help plan your time in the city.

Wilmington is located in a humid subtropical climate zone, which means there are four distinct seasons: a warm and humid summer, a mild winter, as well as a pleasant spring and autumn. The city receives a moderate amount of precipitation throughout the year, with the summer months, especially July and August, distinguished by the highest number of rainy days.

Summer in Wilmington is usually hot, with average temperatures around 25-27°C and increased humidity due to frequent, though not always heavy, rains. Winters here are indeed mild: the average temperature in January, the coldest month, is around 9.5°C, and snow falls rarely. Spring and autumn delight with comfortable temperatures, ideal for outdoor activities. It is worth noting that October is typically the driest month, offering sunny weather for visitors.

In Wilmington, a noticeable shift in temperature regimes is observed throughout the year. The hottest period is usually mid-summer, with July demonstrating an average temperature of about 27.1°C and maximum values reaching 30.2°C. It is immediately followed by August with an average figure of 26.7°C. The coolest month is January, when the average temperature drops to 9.5°C, and minimum night temperatures can reach 5.4°C. December also brings coolness with an average temperature of 11.3°C.

Summer months in Wilmington, from June to August, are characterized by consistently warm and hot weather. Daytime highs hold steadily in the range of 28-30°C, and nights remain quite warm, with temperatures rarely dropping below 21-24°C. This creates a sensation of prolonged warmth. Considering also the significant number of days with precipitation in the summer period (16-21 days per month), one can expect increased air humidity, which makes the heat more palpable.

Winter in Wilmington, covering December, January, and February, is distinguished by mildness and a lack of severe frosts. Average daytime temperatures fluctuate from 13.7°C in January to 16.5°C in February, while night minimums usually remain above the freezing point, constituting 5.4°C - 8.1°C. This indicates a cool, but not harsh winter. Temperature fluctuations between day and night in winter months are somewhat more pronounced than in summer, reaching approximately 8-9°C (for example, in January the difference between the maximum 13.7°C and minimum 5.4°C is 8.3°C), which means noticeable cooling with the setting of the sun. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn, offer comfortable moderate temperatures, ideally suited for walks and exploring the city.

In Wilmington, precipitation is distributed unevenly throughout the year, with a noticeable increase in quantity and frequency during the summer months. Although the city does not experience extreme rainy or dry seasons, certain periods stand out for their humidity or, conversely, dryness.

The wettest months in Wilmington are August and September, when an average of 7 mm of precipitation falls. July is also quite rainy with 6 mm of precipitation. During these summer and early autumn months, rains occur most often: August counts about 21 rainy days, and July – approximately 20 days. June is also characterized by an increased frequency of precipitation, having about 16 rainy days, although the total amount of precipitation is 4 mm. Given the predominantly warm temperatures throughout the year, precipitation falls in the form of rain.

The driest month of the year is October, when only about 2 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days reduces to 7. In the remaining months – from January to April and November – the amount of precipitation fluctuates around 3 mm per month, and the number of rainy days varies from 8 (in April) to 11 (in March). December and May show similar figures with 4 mm of precipitation and 10-11 rainy days respectively. Thus, although summer and the beginning of autumn bring more rain, overall Wilmington receives a moderate amount of precipitation year-round, with the exception of the drier October.

When planning a trip to Wilmington, it is important to consider its moderate climate with mild winters and warm, humid summers. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes will be your best companion for exploring the city. The principle of layering clothes is also very relevant, as it will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. A small umbrella or light waterproof jacket will come in handy year-round, as precipitation is possible in any month, although its intensity varies.

In the summer months (from June to August), when the average temperature reaches 25-27°C, and the maximum can exceed 30°C, preference should be given to light and breathable clothing made from natural fabrics: T-shirts, shorts, sundresses. Do not forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for protection against the active sun. Despite the warm weather, summer in Wilmington is characterized by the highest number of days with precipitation (up to 20-21 days in July and August), so a light raincoat or umbrella will be especially useful. Similar recommendations are relevant for late spring (May) and early autumn (September), when the weather is also warm.

For a trip during the cooler time of year, from October to April, when average temperatures fluctuate from 9.5°C to 20°C, it is worth preparing warmer items. Take sweaters or fleece jackets, a light or medium-weight jacket, as well as jeans or trousers with you. Although winters in Wilmington are mild, with minimum temperatures around 5-8°C, it can be quite cool in the evenings and mornings, so additional layers of clothing will not go amiss. The number of days with precipitation in these months is also significant (about 7-11 days), so protection from rain remains relevant.