Weather in Winston-Salem

Get the latest information about the weather in Winston-Salem. Below are up-to-date summaries, forecasts, and useful charts to help you plan your time in the city.

The climate in Winston-Salem, located in the United States, is characterized as temperate, with four distinct seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, which is typical for this climatic zone. Travellers should expect diverse weather conditions depending on the time of their visit.

Summer in Winston-Salem is generally warm and even hot: average temperatures in July reach about 26.9°C, and maximums can rise above 30°C. Winters here are cool, with average temperatures in January around 5.2°C, sometimes dropping close to zero. Spring and autumn represent pleasant transitional seasons with moderate temperatures, gradually rising in spring and falling in autumn.

Regarding precipitation, it is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, without a pronounced wet or dry season. Although the data indicates a small total monthly amount of precipitation, it is important to note that the number of days with precipitation ranges from 8 to 14 per month. This suggests that light and short-term precipitation is possible at any time of the year, but it is generally not prolonged or heavy. Overall, the weather in Winston-Salem offers a classic change of seasons with warm summer months and a cool, but not severe, winter.

The climate in Winston-Salem is characterized by noticeable seasonal temperature changes throughout the year. The hottest month is usually July, when the average temperature reaches 26.9°C, and daily highs can rise to an average of 32.1°C. Conversely, the coldest month is traditionally January with an average temperature of 5.2°C and overnight lows dropping to an average of 0.8°C. Thus, the annual range of average maximum temperatures extends from 9.6°C in January to 32.1°C in July.

The summer months, from June to August, in Winston-Salem are distinguished by hot weather. Average maximum temperatures during this period hold steadily around 29-32°C (for example, 29.3°C in June, 32.1°C in July). Nights bring some relief but remain warm, with average minimum temperatures in the range of 18.9°C (June) - 21.7°C (July). The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is quite pronounced, amounting to about 10-11 degrees, which is typical for the region.

Winter in Winston-Salem, covering the period from December to February, is cool but generally without extreme frosts. Average minimum temperatures in the coldest months range from 0.8°C in January to 3.5°C in February, which means night frosts are possible. During the day, the temperature usually rises to 9.6°C in January and 13.3°C in February. Daily temperature fluctuations are also noticeable in winter, with a difference between average maximum and minimum values of around 9-10 degrees.

In Winston-Salem, precipitation is distributed throughout the year, and the city does not experience a distinct rainy season or a drought period in terms of total rainfall. The monthly volume of precipitation, according to the provided data, remains surprisingly low and quite constant, fluctuating mainly between 3 and 4 millimetres. This indicates that heavy and prolonged rains are likely not characteristic of this region in any season.

Despite the relatively even distribution of total precipitation volume, the frequency of its occurrence varies. The highest number of days with precipitation is observed in July – an average of 14 days. Precipitation also occurs quite frequently in January, February, and May (12 days in each) and in August (13 days). The "driest" months in terms of the number of days with precipitation are October and November, when there are on average only 8 such days. Given the low total volumes, precipitation most likely manifests as light rain or drizzle. In the winter months, such as January (average minimum temperature 0.8°C), February (3.5°C), and December (2.4°C), when temperatures approach zero or drop below, there is a possibility of snow.

Thus, when planning a trip to Winston-Salem, one should expect a small amount of precipitation in any month. Although the summer months, especially July, and the beginning of winter may bring more days with precipitation, its intensity, judging by the provided data, remains low. The lowest probability of encountering precipitation falls in the middle of autumn, specifically in October and November.

When planning a trip to Winston-Salem, it is important to consider the changing seasons so that your wardrobe matches the weather. In general, the climate here is temperate, with four distinct seasons. Summer (June-August) can be hot, with average temperatures reaching 24-27°C, and maximums rising above 30°C. Therefore, light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses will be very useful. Although precipitation in the summer months is low (3-4 mm), July stands out with 14 rainy days, so a light raincoat or umbrella may come in handy. Winters (December-February) are cool here, with average temperatures around 5-8°C and minimums dropping close to zero. A warm jacket, sweaters, a hat, gloves, and a scarf will help you feel comfortable. Precipitation in winter is also moderate (about 4 mm), but with approximately 12 rainy days per month, waterproof shoes and an umbrella will be useful.

Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with pleasant weather, but with possible temperature fluctuations. In spring, the temperature gradually rises from 11°C in March to 20°C in May, and in autumn, it decreases from 22°C in September to 10°C in November. During these periods, the principle of layering is ideal: T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, light jackets, or cardigans that can be taken off or put on depending on the weather. Precipitation during these seasons is low (3-4 mm), but the number of rainy days ranges from 8 to 12, so a compact umbrella would not be amiss. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes are a must-have, as there is plenty to see in Winston-Salem.