Monthly climate in Highlands, North Carolina, United States

Last updated: March 2, 2024

Under the Köppen–Geiger climate classification Highlands features a oceanic climate (Cfb). Temperatures typically range between 4 °C (40 °F) and 23 °C (73 °F) through the year, but rarely can drop to -14 °C (7 °F) or can rise to as high as 33 °C (91 °F). The average annual precipitation amounts to about 1782 mm (70.2 inches) and receives 154 rainy days on the 1 mm (0.04 inches) threshold annually. Highlands enjoys an average of 3064 hours of sunshine throughout the year, and daylight varies from 9 hours 49 minutes to 14 hours 27 minutes per day.

Monthly average temperatures in Highlands, North Carolina, United States §

The warmest months in Highlands are June, July and August, with daily mean temperatures ranging from 21 to 23 °C (70 - 73 °F) throughout the day. The coldest temperatures usually occur in January, February and December, when daily mean temperatures range from 4 to 7 °C (40 - 45 °F) throughout the day. On average each year, Highlands experiences 92 days above 25 °C (77.0 °F) and 50 days below 0 °C (32.0 °F).

Monthly average temperatures with daily means, minimums and maximums for period, average high and low temperatures in Highlands, North Carolina, United States. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to June 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum 22°C
(71°F)
23°C
(74°F)
28°C
(82°F)
27°C
(81°F)
30°C
(86°F)
30°C
(87°F)
32°C
(89°F)
31°C
(89°F)
31°C
(88°F)
33°C
(91°F)
24°C
(75°F)
23°C
(74°F)
Mean maximum 19°C
(67°F)
22°C
(72°F)
25°C
(77°F)
26°C
(79°F)
28°C
(84°F)
29°C
(84°F)
31°C
(87°F)
30°C
(86°F)
30°C
(86°F)
29°C
(84°F)
22°C
(72°F)
20°C
(68°F)
Average high 9°C
(49°F)
12°C
(55°F)
15°C
(60°F)
19°C
(67°F)
23°C
(74°F)
26°C
(79°F)
28°C
(82°F)
27°C
(81°F)
25°C
(78°F)
21°C
(70°F)
14°C
(58°F)
11°C
(52°F)
Daily mean 4°C
(40°F)
7°C
(45°F)
10°C
(50°F)
14°C
(57°F)
18°C
(65°F)
21°C
(70°F)
23°C
(73°F)
22°C
(72°F)
20°C
(69°F)
16°C
(60°F)
9°C
(48°F)
6°C
(43°F)
Average low 0°C
(33°F)
3°C
(37°F)
5°C
(41°F)
8°C
(46°F)
13°C
(56°F)
17°C
(62°F)
19°C
(66°F)
18°C
(65°F)
16°C
(61°F)
11°C
(52°F)
3°C
(38°F)
2°C
(35°F)
Mean minimum -9°C
(16°F)
-5°C
(24°F)
-5°C
(24°F)
-1°C
(30°F)
5°C
(41°F)
12°C
(54°F)
15°C
(59°F)
14°C
(58°F)
10°C
(50°F)
1°C
(35°F)
-4°C
(25°F)
-7°C
(20°F)
Minimum -14°C
(7°F)
-6°C
(22°F)
-7°C
(20°F)
-3°C
(27°F)
1°C
(35°F)
10°C
(49°F)
13°C
(56°F)
13°C
(56°F)
6°C
(43°F)
-2°C
(28°F)
-6°C
(21°F)
-11°C
(12°F)

Compare climate in Highlands with other places

Compare temperature, precipitation, sunshine, UV index in Highlands, North Carolina, United States with other places around the world.

Monthly average precipitation in Highlands, North Carolina, United States §

Highlands usually has the most precipitation in February, August and October, with an average of 14 rainy days and 179 mm (7.1 inches) of precipitation per month. The driest months in Highlands are January, July and November. On average, 118 mm (4.6 inches) of precipitation falls during these months.

Monthly average precipitation and precipitation days in Highlands, North Carolina, United States. Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Average precipitation mm (inches) 124 (4.9) 186 (7.3) 141 (5.6) 155 (6.1) 162 (6.4) 125 (4.9) 123 (4.9) 171 (6.7) 149 (5.9) 181 (7.1) 106 (4.2) 158 (6.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 10 14 14 10 12 17 19 17 11 11 9 10

Monthly sunshine hours in Highlands, North Carolina, United States §

The sunniest months in Highlands are June, July and August, when the sun shines an average of 10 hours 27 minutes a day. Least sunny months in Highlands: January, February and December receive an average of 5 hours 43 minutes of sunshine daily.

Mean monthly sunshine duration, average sunshine hours per day and mean daily daylight hours in Highlands, North Carolina, United States. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2017 to January 2022.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Mean monthly sunshine hours 161 170 232 270 297 314 338 309 287 262 230 188
Mean daily daylight hours 10h 5m 10h 55m 11h 59m 13h 5m 14h 0m 14h 27m 14h 13m 13h 24m 12h 20m 11h 15m 10h 18m 9h 49m

Solar UV radiation in Highlands, North Carolina, United States §

Highlands experiences the highest level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in April, May and August, when the maximum UV index can reach values of 11 - 12, which corresponds to the Extreme category of sun exposure. January, November and December are in the Moderate / High exposure category. In these months, the maximum values of the UV index do not exceed 6. For more detailed information, check out our hourly Highlands UV Index data.

Average daily maximum UV levels by month for Highlands, North Carolina, United States. Generated using Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service information. Data for period from January 2022 to January 2023.
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
UV Index (month maximum) 4 7 8 11 12 11 11 11 10 8 6 4

Detailed Monthly Weather Insights for Highlands, North Carolina, United States

Discover in-depth weather details for every month in Highlands. Click through the links below for comprehensive overviews of temperature trends, precipitation levels, sunshine hours, and solar UV radiation specifics. Whether planning a visit or simply curious about Highlands's climate nuances, these monthly breakdowns provide the information you need for an informed understanding of what to expect throughout the year.

Each link leads to a detailed account of the typical weather conditions for that month, providing both locals and tourists with vital information to plan their daily activities, wardrobe, and travel itineraries accordingly.