Updated October 2026
Cape Hatteras National Seashore Weather by Month
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 87°F and a low of 75°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 54°F and an average low of 40°F. September is the wettest month, with about 8.1 inches of precipitation.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Cape Hatteras National Seashore can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
87°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
40°F avg low
Wettest month
Sep
8.1 in avg
Longest days
Jun
14.4 h of daylight
Average weather at Cape Hatteras by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F | 40°F | 4.7 in | 9.9 h |
| February | 57°F | 41°F | 4.3 in | 10.7 h |
| March | 62°F | 46°F | 4.2 in | 11.7 h |
| April | 69°F | 55°F | 4.0 in | 12.9 h |
| May | 77°F | 63°F | 4.5 in | 13.9 h |
| June | 84°F | 71°F | 4.8 in | 14.4 h |
| July | 87°F | 75°F | 5.6 in | 14.2 h |
| August | 87°F | 74°F | 7.0 in | 13.3 h |
| September | 82°F | 71°F | 8.1 in | 12.2 h |
| October | 74°F | 61°F | 5.2 in | 11.1 h |
| November | 65°F | 52°F | 4.7 in | 10.1 h |
| December | 58°F | 45°F | 4.6 in | 9.6 h |
| Year total | 61.7 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00313336, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Cape Hatteras is at that time of year.
Cape Hatteras weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 54°F in January, between 58°F in December and 57°F in February, with average lows between 40°F and 45°F. Together the three months average 13.6 inches of precipitation, about 22% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its shortest, about 9.6 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 62°F in March to 77°F in May, with average lows between 46°F and 63°F. Together the three months average 12.7 inches of precipitation, about 21% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.7 hours in March to 13.9 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 84°F in June to 87°F in August, with average lows between 71°F and 75°F. Together the three months average 17.4 inches of precipitation, about 28% of the yearly total. Daylight is at its longest, about 14.4 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 82°F in September to 65°F in November, with average lows between 52°F and 71°F. Together the three months average 18 inches of precipitation, about 29% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight shortens from about 12.2 hours in September to 10.1 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
The weather along the Outer Banks varies throughout the year and even throughout the day. Please check the National Weather Service information at http://www.weather.gov/mhx/ for forecast information.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Cape Hatteras
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 35.41°N, 75.65°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Cape Hatteras National Seashore →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 1.9× the visitors of the park's average month. January is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Cape Hatteras National Seashore. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Cape Hatteras.
Where to stay near Cape Hatteras
Picked a month for Cape Hatteras National Seashore? Compare hotels, cabins and vacation rentals near the park with live availability and prices.
Top-rated places to stay near Cape Hatteras
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with an average high of 87°F and an average low of 75°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 11.3 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Cape Hatteras National Seashore, with an average low of 40°F and an average high of 54°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
September is the wettest month, with about 8.1 inches of precipitation. April is the driest, at about 4 inches. The station records about 61.7 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Daylight at Cape Hatteras National Seashore runs from about 9.6 hours a day in December to about 14.4 hours in June, computed from the park's latitude.
Weather at nearby parks
36 mi away · warmest in July (86°F)
42 mi away · warmest in July (86°F)
56 mi away · warmest in July (93°F)
136 mi away · warmest in July (89°F)
Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00313336), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (1979–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.