Early autumn · Weather & things to do
Downtown Raleigh in September
Downtown Raleigh cools off: highs slip to 83°F (28°C), from 89°F in August, with lows of 62°F (16°C) and about 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain.
It scores 75/100 for comfort, 6th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 83°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 62°F (16°C)
- Rain
- 4.7 in (119 mm)
- Humidity
- 75%
- Cloud cover
- 51%
- Daylight
- ~12 h 13 min
- Comfort score
- 75/100 · Great
What September feels like
Highs settle around 83°F (28°C), warm enough for short sleeves.
Lows average 62°F (16°C).
With 75% average humidity, it feels muggy.
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.7 in (119 mm).
Plan around September
September is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April and October & November).
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, July – September.
- Humidity season begins: 75% on average, up from 73% in August.
- Comfort improves from 60/100 in August to 75/100.
- Our Raleigh New Year's Eve route is planned for Dec 30 – Jan 1, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — September falls outside it.
What to pack for September
- Light, breathable clothes83°F afternoons
- Quick-dry fabrics75% average humidity
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.7 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Downtown Raleigh in September
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
First Night Raleigh and the Acorn Drop
Artsplosure's New Year's Eve festival on Fayetteville Street, ending with the copper acorn lowered over City Plaza and fireworks.
Why now September scores 75/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
The Raleigh Times Bar
Bar in the 1906 building of the old Raleigh Times newspaper, with a rooftop patio a block from City Plaza.
Why now Highs near 83°F and 4.7 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Bida Manda
Laotian restaurant run by a brother and sister since 2012, known for crispy pork belly soup and lemongrass dishes.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
Fine dining in the restored 1879 Dodd-Hinsdale House, with a formal upstairs dining room and a cozier tavern below.
Nearby in September
- Uptown Charlotte in September~130 mi · highs 84°F, 3.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Richmond in September~139 mi · highs 82°F, 4.6 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Williamsburg in September~149 mi · highs 81°F, 4.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Ocracoke in September~156 mi · highs 79°F, 7.3 in rain · 2°C (4°F) cooler by day, wetter
These averages also cover Dix Park & West Raleigh.
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Downtown Raleigh in September: quick answers
Is September a good time to visit Downtown Raleigh?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 75/100 against a best of 89 in April and October & November. Expect highs of 83°F (28°C) and 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain.
How hot is Downtown Raleigh in September?
Average highs are 83°F (28°C) and average lows 62°F (16°C), making it the 4th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Downtown Raleigh in September?
Some: about 4.7 in (119 mm) of rain falls across September on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 46.7 in (1187 mm).
What should I pack for Downtown Raleigh in September?
Bring light, breathable clothes (83°F afternoons), quick-dry fabrics (75% average humidity), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.7 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Downtown Raleigh
Planning Downtown Raleigh in September?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.