Raleigh Travel Guide: An Overview

Raleigh is the capital of the State of North Carolina and the county seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. As of the 2000 census, it had a population of 276,093, making it the second most populous city in North Carolina, after Charlotte. Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill make up the three cities of The Triangle, so named in 1959 with the creation of the Research Triangle Park, a research park between Durham and Raleigh (mostly located within Durham County).

Raleigh has a humid subtropical climate, with moderate weather in the spring, fall, and winter. However, summers are hot and can at times be humid. Winter temperatures range from highs in the low 50s°F (10-13°C) to lows in the upper 20s-mid 30s°F (-2 to 2°C). Spring and fall days are usually in the low to mid 70s°F (low 20s°C) with nights in the 50s°F (10-14°C). Summer days are often in the upper 80s and low 90s °F (30-35°C) with high humidity. The rainiest months are July and August. Raleigh receives light snow during most winters, occurring in January and February.