Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Durham (USC00312515), North Carolina, United States, with 115 years of record.
Key Facts for Durham
Durham (USC00312515) is a weather station in North Carolina, United States at 36.04 latitude and -78.96 longitude, 122 m (400 ft) above sea level.
The station reports from 1899 to 2013, 115 years of record.
1,464 records set at Durham still stand.
Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
Durham set a daily record high minimum temperature of 22.8 C (73.0 F) on 13 June 2013.
About the Station
Location: North Carolina, United States, 36.04 latitude, -78.96 longitude.
Elevation: 122 m (400 ft).
Period of record: 1899 to 2013, 115 years.
Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd.
Daily Record Envelope and 2026
0 days at or beyond a record
Record highRecord low2026 daily maximum2026 daily minimum
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Durham. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Durham, with 2026 drawn through them
Month
Highest record high
Lowest record low
2026 highest maximum
2026 lowest minimum
Jan
26.7 C (80.1 F)
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Feb
28.3 C (82.9 F)
-16.7 C (1.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Mar
32.8 C (91.0 F)
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
n/a
n/a
Apr
33.9 C (93.0 F)
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
n/a
n/a
May
37.8 C (100.0 F)
-2.2 C (28.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Jun
40.6 C (105.1 F)
4.4 C (39.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Jul
40.6 C (105.1 F)
8.9 C (48.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Aug
40.6 C (105.1 F)
7.2 C (45.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Sep
40.6 C (105.1 F)
2.2 C (36.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Oct
37.2 C (99.0 F)
-6.7 C (19.9 F)
n/a
n/a
Nov
30.6 C (87.1 F)
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Dec
26.1 C (79.0 F)
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
n/a
n/a
Which Years Hold Standing Records
1,464 standing records
Year with most
1,464 records at Durham still stand. 1976 holds the most, with 37.
Standing records at Durham by the year they were set
Year set
Standing records
1899
13
1901
9
1909
1
1919
34
1920
4
1921
25
1922
21
1923
16
1924
21
1925
32
1926
23
1927
21
1928
17
1929
22
1930
30
1931
29
1932
22
1933
27
1934
27
1935
16
1936
12
1937
12
1938
10
1939
15
1940
26
1941
24
1942
14
1943
27
1944
14
1945
24
1946
14
1947
19
1948
16
1949
8
1950
23
1951
25
1952
23
1953
19
1954
24
1955
9
1956
14
1957
16
1958
12
1959
9
1960
18
1961
13
1962
15
1963
25
1964
18
1965
5
1966
6
1967
15
1968
18
1969
13
1970
16
1971
18
1972
13
1973
12
1974
22
1975
6
1976
37
1977
25
1978
6
1979
14
1980
12
1981
19
1982
5
1986
1
1987
5
1988
24
1989
7
1990
13
1991
26
1992
8
1993
19
1994
14
1995
10
1996
18
1997
13
1998
12
1999
12
2000
10
2001
11
2002
19
2003
9
2004
5
2005
4
2006
5
2007
10
2008
7
2009
3
2010
9
2011
15
2012
1
2013
4
All-Time Record Progression
5 new records
5 all-time records were set at Durham between 17 August 1955 and 6 September 1996. Each dot is a new record.
When Durham set new all-time records
Date
Kind
Detail
1955-08-17
Record daily precipitation
Record daily precipitation 136.1 mm (5.4 in)
1972-01-17
Record low maximum temperature
Record low maximum temperature -7.2 C (19.0 F)
1986-08-21
Record daily precipitation
Record daily precipitation 144.8 mm (5.7 in)
1994-01-20
Record low maximum temperature
Record low maximum temperature -8.3 C (17.1 F)
1996-09-06
Record daily precipitation
Record daily precipitation 170.2 mm (6.7 in)
Wettest Day of Each Month
Sep: 170.2 mm (6.7 in)
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Durham. The most was 170.2 mm (6.7 in) on 6 September 1996.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Durham
Month
Record daily precipitation (mm)
Date
Jan
73.2 mm (2.9 in)
6 January 1962
Feb
74.2 mm (2.9 in)
17 February 1998
Mar
88.9 mm (3.5 in)
15 March 1899
Apr
101.6 mm (4.0 in)
26 April 1978
May
134.1 mm (5.3 in)
22 May 1901
Jun
133.4 mm (5.3 in)
22 June 1964
Jul
128.8 mm (5.1 in)
10 July 1959
Aug
144.8 mm (5.7 in)
21 August 1986
Sep
170.2 mm (6.7 in)
6 September 1996
Oct
126.5 mm (5.0 in)
15 October 1954
Nov
119.1 mm (4.7 in)
29 November 1934
Dec
85.9 mm (3.4 in)
28 December 1958
Period of Record Coverage
1899 to 2013
Complete yearUnder 90 percent of days
94 years of record at Durham, 1899 to 2013. 20 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1899, 1901, 1909, 1919, 1920, 1921, 1937, 1981 and others.
Cooler than the station meanWarmer than the station mean
One stripe for each of 71 complete years at Durham, 1922 to 2011. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 15.1 C (59.1 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 1976, at 13.6 C (56.5 F), and the warmest was 1933, at 16.6 C (61.9 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.6 C (2.9 F).
Annual mean temperature at Durham as warming stripes, 1922 to 2011
Year
Annual mean temperature
Difference from the station mean
1922
14.3 C
-0.81 C
1923
14.9 C
-0.20 C
1924
13.7 C
-1.38 C
1925
15.0 C
-0.06 C
1926
15.1 C
0.00 C
1927
15.5 C
+0.45 C
1928
15.1 C
+0.04 C
1929
15.4 C
+0.31 C
1930
15.3 C
+0.25 C
1931
16.1 C
+1.05 C
1932
16.2 C
+1.16 C
1933
16.6 C
+1.54 C
1934
15.7 C
+0.64 C
1935
15.2 C
+0.15 C
1936
15.1 C
0.00 C
1938
15.4 C
+0.28 C
1939
15.7 C
+0.62 C
1940
13.9 C
-1.20 C
1941
15.4 C
+0.35 C
1942
15.1 C
+0.02 C
1943
15.1 C
+0.01 C
1944
14.8 C
-0.25 C
1945
15.7 C
+0.63 C
1947
14.8 C
-0.31 C
1948
15.6 C
+0.49 C
1949
16.5 C
+1.38 C
1950
15.5 C
+0.41 C
1951
15.7 C
+0.62 C
1952
15.8 C
+0.68 C
1953
16.5 C
+1.39 C
1954
16.1 C
+1.00 C
1955
15.5 C
+0.37 C
1956
15.4 C
+0.31 C
1957
15.5 C
+0.44 C
1958
14.6 C
-0.47 C
1959
15.9 C
+0.85 C
1960
14.8 C
-0.30 C
1961
15.0 C
-0.11 C
1962
14.6 C
-0.46 C
1963
14.6 C
-0.45 C
1964
15.1 C
-0.01 C
1965
15.5 C
+0.38 C
1966
14.7 C
-0.42 C
1967
14.6 C
-0.50 C
1968
14.5 C
-0.57 C
1969
14.0 C
-1.09 C
1970
15.1 C
+0.03 C
1972
14.1 C
-0.97 C
1973
14.9 C
-0.15 C
1974
14.9 C
-0.22 C
1975
14.8 C
-0.29 C
1976
13.6 C
-1.45 C
1977
14.3 C
-0.79 C
1978
14.1 C
-1.02 C
1979
14.0 C
-1.13 C
1980
13.8 C
-1.27 C
1991
16.4 C
+1.36 C
1994
16.0 C
+0.91 C
1995
15.6 C
+0.47 C
1996
15.3 C
+0.22 C
1997
15.5 C
+0.40 C
2001
14.3 C
-0.80 C
2002
14.9 C
-0.22 C
2003
14.1 C
-0.97 C
2004
14.6 C
-0.50 C
2005
15.0 C
-0.07 C
2006
15.0 C
-0.10 C
2007
15.5 C
+0.45 C
2008
14.9 C
-0.17 C
2009
14.5 C
-0.63 C
2011
14.9 C
-0.14 C
The fitted trend in annual mean temperature here over 1922 to 2011 is -0.1 C (-0.1 to 0.0) per decade. The interval includes zero, so the trend is not clearly different from zero. In Fahrenheit: -0.1 F (-0.2 to 0.0) per decade. The slope is a straight line fitted to 71 complete years; the brackets give its 95 percent interval.
Fitted temperature trends per decade at Durham
Measure
Per decade (C)
Per decade (F)
Period
Complete years
Reading
Annual mean temperature
-0.1 C (-0.1 to 0.0) per decade
-0.1 F (-0.2 to 0.0) per decade
1922 to 2011
71
Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily maximum
-0.06 C (-0.13 to 0.02) per decade
-0.10 F (-0.23 to 0.03) per decade
1922 to 2011
71
Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily minimum
-0.07 C (-0.14 to 0.01) per decade
-0.12 F (-0.26 to 0.01) per decade
1922 to 2011
71
Not clearly different from zero
A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.
Extremes by Year
1899 to 2013
Yearly extremes at Durham: the record and the median year
Measure
Record
Year of the record
Median year
Years with a value
Hottest day (TXx)
40.6 C (105.1 F)
1932
37.2 C (99.0 F)
94
Coldest night (TNn)
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1942
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
95
Wettest day (Rx1day)
170.2 mm (6.7 in)
1996
69.6 mm (2.7 in)
108
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
235.9 mm (9.3 in)
1996
105.7 mm (4.2 in)
108
Longest dry spell (CDD)
50 days
1922
21 days
108
Hottest day (TXx)
The hottest day of the year at Durham, 1899 to 2013. The record is 40.6 C (105.1 F) in 1932, marked on the chart; the median year is 37.2 C (99.0 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Durham by year
Year
Hottest day (TXx)
1899
33.9 C (93.0 F)
1901
32.8 C (91.0 F)
1908
n/a
1909
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1910
n/a
1911
n/a
1912
n/a
1913
n/a
1914
n/a
1915
n/a
1916
n/a
1917
n/a
1918
n/a
1919
39.4 C (102.9 F)
1920
21.7 C (71.1 F)
1921
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1922
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1923
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1924
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1925
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1926
40.0 C (104.0 F)
1927
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1928
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1929
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1930
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1931
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1932
40.6 C (105.1 F)
1933
39.4 C (102.9 F)
1934
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1935
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1936
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1937
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1938
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1939
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1940
40.0 C (104.0 F)
1941
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1942
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1943
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1944
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1945
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1946
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1947
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1948
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1949
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1950
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1951
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1952
40.0 C (104.0 F)
1953
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1954
40.6 C (105.1 F)
1955
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1956
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1957
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1958
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1959
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1960
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1961
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1962
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1963
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1964
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1965
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1966
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1967
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1968
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1969
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1970
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1971
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1972
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1973
35.0 C (95.0 F)
1974
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1975
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1976
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1977
40.0 C (104.0 F)
1978
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1979
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1980
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1981
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1982
34.4 C (93.9 F)
1983
n/a
1984
n/a
1985
n/a
1986
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1987
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1988
38.3 C (100.9 F)
1989
n/a
1990
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1991
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1992
35.6 C (96.1 F)
1993
38.9 C (102.0 F)
1994
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1995
37.2 C (99.0 F)
1996
36.7 C (98.1 F)
1997
37.8 C (100.0 F)
1998
36.1 C (97.0 F)
1999
37.2 C (99.0 F)
2000
34.4 C (93.9 F)
2001
32.8 C (91.0 F)
2002
36.1 C (97.0 F)
2003
33.3 C (91.9 F)
2004
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2005
38.3 C (100.9 F)
2006
35.6 C (96.1 F)
2007
38.9 C (102.0 F)
2008
37.2 C (99.0 F)
2009
36.7 C (98.1 F)
2010
36.7 C (98.1 F)
2011
36.7 C (98.1 F)
2012
37.8 C (100.0 F)
2013
33.3 C (91.9 F)
Coldest night (TNn)
The coldest night of the year at Durham, 1899 to 2013. The record is -17.8 C (0.0 F) in 1942, marked on the chart; the median year is -11.7 C (10.9 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Durham by year
Year
Coldest night (TNn)
1899
-8.9 C (16.0 F)
1901
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1908
n/a
1909
18.9 C (66.0 F)
1910
n/a
1911
n/a
1912
n/a
1913
n/a
1914
n/a
1915
n/a
1916
n/a
1917
n/a
1918
n/a
1919
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1920
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
1921
-6.1 C (21.0 F)
1922
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1923
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
1924
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
1925
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1926
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1927
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1928
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1929
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
1930
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1931
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1932
-8.9 C (16.0 F)
1933
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
1934
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
1935
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1936
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1937
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1938
-10.6 C (12.9 F)
1939
-9.4 C (15.1 F)
1940
-17.2 C (1.0 F)
1941
-10.6 C (12.9 F)
1942
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1943
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1944
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
1945
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1946
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
1947
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1948
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
1949
-7.2 C (19.0 F)
1950
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1951
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
1952
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
1953
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
1954
-10.6 C (12.9 F)
1955
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1956
-7.8 C (18.0 F)
1957
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1958
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
1959
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1960
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
1961
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
1962
-15.0 C (5.0 F)
1963
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1964
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1965
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1966
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
1967
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1968
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1969
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1970
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1971
-12.8 C (9.0 F)
1972
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1973
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1974
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1975
-10.6 C (12.9 F)
1976
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1977
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1978
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
1979
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1980
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
1981
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1982
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
1983
n/a
1984
n/a
1985
n/a
1986
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
1987
-9.4 C (15.1 F)
1988
-13.9 C (7.0 F)
1989
-14.4 C (6.1 F)
1990
-5.6 C (21.9 F)
1991
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
1992
-7.8 C (18.0 F)
1993
-7.8 C (18.0 F)
1994
-17.8 C (0.0 F)
1995
-11.7 C (10.9 F)
1996
-16.1 C (3.0 F)
1997
-10.0 C (14.0 F)
1998
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1999
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
2000
-13.3 C (8.1 F)
2001
-9.4 C (15.1 F)
2002
-10.6 C (12.9 F)
2003
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
2004
-12.2 C (10.0 F)
2005
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
2006
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
2007
-10.6 C (12.9 F)
2008
-9.4 C (15.1 F)
2009
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
2010
-11.1 C (12.0 F)
2011
-9.4 C (15.1 F)
2012
-8.3 C (17.1 F)
2013
-8.9 C (16.0 F)
Wettest day (Rx1day)
The wettest day of the year at Durham, 1899 to 2013. The record is 170.2 mm (6.7 in) in 1996, marked on the chart; the median year is 69.6 mm (2.7 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Durham by year
Year
Wettest day (Rx1day)
1899
88.9 mm (3.5 in)
1901
134.1 mm (5.3 in)
1908
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1909
124.5 mm (4.9 in)
1910
80.5 mm (3.2 in)
1911
52.3 mm (2.1 in)
1912
62.7 mm (2.5 in)
1913
103.4 mm (4.1 in)
1914
71.6 mm (2.8 in)
1915
53.3 mm (2.1 in)
1916
63.0 mm (2.5 in)
1917
53.3 mm (2.1 in)
1918
63.8 mm (2.5 in)
1919
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1920
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1921
38.1 mm (1.5 in)
1922
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1923
55.4 mm (2.2 in)
1924
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1925
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
1926
36.6 mm (1.4 in)
1927
41.1 mm (1.6 in)
1928
64.8 mm (2.6 in)
1929
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
1930
43.2 mm (1.7 in)
1931
37.8 mm (1.5 in)
1932
81.5 mm (3.2 in)
1933
54.9 mm (2.2 in)
1934
119.1 mm (4.7 in)
1935
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1936
76.7 mm (3.0 in)
1937
75.2 mm (3.0 in)
1938
60.2 mm (2.4 in)
1939
55.9 mm (2.2 in)
1940
60.2 mm (2.4 in)
1941
38.6 mm (1.5 in)
1942
55.1 mm (2.2 in)
1943
52.8 mm (2.1 in)
1944
53.8 mm (2.1 in)
1945
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
1946
77.5 mm (3.1 in)
1947
48.5 mm (1.9 in)
1948
55.4 mm (2.2 in)
1949
46.0 mm (1.8 in)
1950
50.3 mm (2.0 in)
1951
45.2 mm (1.8 in)
1952
86.4 mm (3.4 in)
1953
91.9 mm (3.6 in)
1954
126.5 mm (5.0 in)
1955
136.1 mm (5.4 in)
1956
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1957
89.9 mm (3.5 in)
1958
85.9 mm (3.4 in)
1959
128.8 mm (5.1 in)
1960
52.1 mm (2.1 in)
1961
46.2 mm (1.8 in)
1962
83.8 mm (3.3 in)
1963
101.1 mm (4.0 in)
1964
133.4 mm (5.3 in)
1965
116.6 mm (4.6 in)
1966
56.9 mm (2.2 in)
1967
86.9 mm (3.4 in)
1968
63.5 mm (2.5 in)
1969
68.1 mm (2.7 in)
1970
58.4 mm (2.3 in)
1971
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
1972
67.3 mm (2.6 in)
1973
98.3 mm (3.9 in)
1974
80.3 mm (3.2 in)
1975
77.5 mm (3.1 in)
1976
40.9 mm (1.6 in)
1977
85.6 mm (3.4 in)
1978
101.6 mm (4.0 in)
1979
75.2 mm (3.0 in)
1980
89.4 mm (3.5 in)
1981
110.2 mm (4.3 in)
1982
56.4 mm (2.2 in)
1983
123.2 mm (4.9 in)
1984
71.1 mm (2.8 in)
1985
107.4 mm (4.2 in)
1986
144.8 mm (5.7 in)
1987
61.2 mm (2.4 in)
1988
64.5 mm (2.5 in)
1989
108.2 mm (4.3 in)
1990
81.0 mm (3.2 in)
1991
60.5 mm (2.4 in)
1992
69.3 mm (2.7 in)
1993
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1994
58.4 mm (2.3 in)
1995
87.9 mm (3.5 in)
1996
170.2 mm (6.7 in)
1997
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1998
87.9 mm (3.5 in)
1999
119.4 mm (4.7 in)
2000
69.9 mm (2.8 in)
2001
53.3 mm (2.1 in)
2002
58.4 mm (2.3 in)
2003
61.0 mm (2.4 in)
2004
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
2005
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
2006
127.0 mm (5.0 in)
2007
69.9 mm (2.8 in)
2008
106.7 mm (4.2 in)
2009
63.5 mm (2.5 in)
2010
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
2011
76.2 mm (3.0 in)
2012
50.8 mm (2.0 in)
2013
88.9 mm (3.5 in)
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
The wettest five days of the year at Durham, 1899 to 2013. The record is 235.9 mm (9.3 in) in 1996, marked on the chart; the median year is 105.7 mm (4.2 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Durham by year
Year
Wettest five days (Rx5day)
1899
108.0 mm (4.3 in)
1901
152.9 mm (6.0 in)
1908
80.0 mm (3.1 in)
1909
203.8 mm (8.0 in)
1910
84.6 mm (3.3 in)
1911
87.4 mm (3.4 in)
1912
81.2 mm (3.2 in)
1913
140.7 mm (5.5 in)
1914
115.8 mm (4.6 in)
1915
78.7 mm (3.1 in)
1916
89.8 mm (3.5 in)
1917
102.8 mm (4.0 in)
1918
87.2 mm (3.4 in)
1919
178.3 mm (7.0 in)
1920
90.7 mm (3.6 in)
1921
50.2 mm (2.0 in)
1922
103.6 mm (4.1 in)
1923
93.5 mm (3.7 in)
1924
120.9 mm (4.8 in)
1925
58.3 mm (2.3 in)
1926
58.1 mm (2.3 in)
1927
73.4 mm (2.9 in)
1928
132.4 mm (5.2 in)
1929
140.2 mm (5.5 in)
1930
81.8 mm (3.2 in)
1931
75.6 mm (3.0 in)
1932
109.7 mm (4.3 in)
1933
68.7 mm (2.7 in)
1934
142.2 mm (5.6 in)
1935
87.7 mm (3.5 in)
1936
98.1 mm (3.9 in)
1937
159.2 mm (6.3 in)
1938
100.4 mm (4.0 in)
1939
99.4 mm (3.9 in)
1940
127.3 mm (5.0 in)
1941
66.2 mm (2.6 in)
1942
70.6 mm (2.8 in)
1943
119.9 mm (4.7 in)
1944
106.4 mm (4.2 in)
1945
188.5 mm (7.4 in)
1946
104.4 mm (4.1 in)
1947
75.4 mm (3.0 in)
1948
95.3 mm (3.8 in)
1949
89.7 mm (3.5 in)
1950
85.3 mm (3.4 in)
1951
70.3 mm (2.8 in)
1952
121.7 mm (4.8 in)
1953
91.9 mm (3.6 in)
1954
134.1 mm (5.3 in)
1955
156.4 mm (6.2 in)
1956
85.9 mm (3.4 in)
1957
106.9 mm (4.2 in)
1958
90.5 mm (3.6 in)
1959
159.1 mm (6.3 in)
1960
81.3 mm (3.2 in)
1961
73.4 mm (2.9 in)
1962
118.4 mm (4.7 in)
1963
120.5 mm (4.7 in)
1964
146.6 mm (5.8 in)
1965
176.5 mm (6.9 in)
1966
104.7 mm (4.1 in)
1967
114.3 mm (4.5 in)
1968
87.6 mm (3.4 in)
1969
104.0 mm (4.1 in)
1970
74.7 mm (2.9 in)
1971
142.0 mm (5.6 in)
1972
101.9 mm (4.0 in)
1973
117.8 mm (4.6 in)
1974
131.1 mm (5.2 in)
1975
170.4 mm (6.7 in)
1976
65.5 mm (2.6 in)
1977
128.8 mm (5.1 in)
1978
144.3 mm (5.7 in)
1979
148.3 mm (5.8 in)
1980
117.6 mm (4.6 in)
1981
139.1 mm (5.5 in)
1982
104.9 mm (4.1 in)
1983
133.6 mm (5.3 in)
1984
127.2 mm (5.0 in)
1985
149.3 mm (5.9 in)
1986
172.5 mm (6.8 in)
1987
113.8 mm (4.5 in)
1988
75.1 mm (3.0 in)
1989
234.3 mm (9.2 in)
1990
102.3 mm (4.0 in)
1991
87.4 mm (3.4 in)
1992
81.8 mm (3.2 in)
1993
96.8 mm (3.8 in)
1994
98.0 mm (3.9 in)
1995
113.9 mm (4.5 in)
1996
235.9 mm (9.3 in)
1997
70.1 mm (2.8 in)
1998
156.1 mm (6.1 in)
1999
152.5 mm (6.0 in)
2000
98.2 mm (3.9 in)
2001
113.0 mm (4.4 in)
2002
113.6 mm (4.5 in)
2003
120.4 mm (4.7 in)
2004
96.5 mm (3.8 in)
2005
94.4 mm (3.7 in)
2006
228.5 mm (9.0 in)
2007
128.3 mm (5.1 in)
2008
143.5 mm (5.6 in)
2009
127.0 mm (5.0 in)
2010
155.4 mm (6.1 in)
2011
106.7 mm (4.2 in)
2012
51.2 mm (2.0 in)
2013
51.1 mm (2.0 in)
Longest dry spell (CDD)
The longest dry spell of the year at Durham, 1899 to 2013. The record is 50 days in 1922, marked on the chart; the median year is 21 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Durham by year
Year
Longest dry spell (CDD)
1899
17 days
1901
13 days
1908
26 days
1909
22 days
1910
20 days
1911
17 days
1912
25 days
1913
19 days
1914
28 days
1915
24 days
1916
25 days
1917
17 days
1918
22 days
1919
22 days
1920
26 days
1921
17 days
1922
50 days
1923
17 days
1924
26 days
1925
22 days
1926
18 days
1927
21 days
1928
15 days
1929
18 days
1930
23 days
1931
28 days
1932
26 days
1933
29 days
1934
24 days
1935
21 days
1936
23 days
1937
24 days
1938
19 days
1939
22 days
1940
20 days
1941
31 days
1942
22 days
1943
33 days
1944
18 days
1945
20 days
1946
20 days
1947
15 days
1948
17 days
1949
14 days
1950
17 days
1951
16 days
1952
24 days
1953
20 days
1954
27 days
1955
20 days
1956
23 days
1957
17 days
1958
26 days
1959
21 days
1960
21 days
1961
20 days
1962
17 days
1963
29 days
1964
18 days
1965
32 days
1966
23 days
1967
20 days
1968
30 days
1969
17 days
1970
25 days
1971
14 days
1972
16 days
1973
19 days
1974
22 days
1975
20 days
1976
29 days
1977
19 days
1978
21 days
1979
12 days
1980
14 days
1981
21 days
1982
14 days
1983
30 days
1984
20 days
1985
22 days
1986
33 days
1987
16 days
1988
20 days
1989
21 days
1990
17 days
1991
23 days
1992
16 days
1993
19 days
1994
14 days
1995
25 days
1996
15 days
1997
18 days
1998
24 days
1999
21 days
2000
20 days
2001
29 days
2002
23 days
2003
24 days
2004
17 days
2005
29 days
2006
20 days
2007
21 days
2008
32 days
2009
18 days
2010
24 days
2011
13 days
2012
6 days
2013
9 days
Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.
Frost Dates and Growing Season
71 years with a frost
Across 71 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Durham falls on 11 April and the median first autumn frost on 27 October, which leaves a median of 198 days between them.
In 1965 to 2011 the median growing season was 204 days. That is 7 days more than in 1922 to 1953.
Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by +1.7 days per decade at this station.
Frost dates and growing season at Durham
Measure
Median, all years
Earliest period (1922 to 1953)
Recent period (1965 to 2011)
Recent against earliest
Fitted trend
Last spring frost
11 April
13 April
8 April
5 days earlier
-1.1 days per decade
First autumn frost
27 October
27 October
29 October
2 days later
+0.6 days per decade
Growing days
198 days
197 days
204 days
7 days more
+1.7 days per decade
A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.
Rainfall Return Levels
99 years, 1909 to 2009
A day with at least 68.5 mm (2.7 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 175.8 mm (6.9 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.
Rainfall return levels at Durham: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once in
A day with at least
Note
2 years
68.5 mm (2.7 in)
5 years
93.1 mm (3.7 in)
10 years
110.9 mm (4.4 in)
25 years
135.3 mm (5.3 in)
50 years
155.0 mm (6.1 in)
100 years
175.8 mm (6.9 in)
Longer than the 99 years of record
The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 99 years of values from 1909 to 2009.
A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.
The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 170.2 mm (6.7 in) in 1996; 144.8 mm (5.7 in) in 1986; 136.1 mm (5.4 in) in 1955.
Station Changes
1 suspected
One change was suspected in the annual mean temperature of Durham, at 1975. Each is measured against neighbouring stations.
Relative to 5 neighbouring stations, the station's annual mean temperature from 1975 ran 0.5 C (1.0 F) lower than in the years before (likely change).
Suspected changes in the annual mean temperature at Durham, against neighbouring stations
Year
Shift (C)
Shift (F)
Strength
Neighbours
1975
-0.5
-1.0
likely
5
Possible change at the station (a move, a new instrument or a new site); the record is kept as measured. A "likely" change has a larger test statistic than a "possible" one. Neither says why the station differs from its neighbours. How changes are found, and the largest ones.
Download the Data
Data for Durham standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Data for Durham threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-14 (14 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.