Is Duke or the University of Washington better for weather?

The central tradeoff is that Duke offers substantially more sunshine and clearer seasonal contrast, while the University of Washington offers milder temperatures, especially in summer, but many more gray, damp days during the academic year. Durham’s climate is warmer and more humid; Seattle’s is cooler, with relatively dry, beautiful summers but long stretches of cloud cover from fall through spring.

At Duke, expect hot, humid summers, a mild winter with occasional cold snaps or light snow/ice, and a true spring and fall. Rain falls throughout the year, often through showers or thunderstorms, but there are also many sunny days. Early fall and spring can be particularly pleasant, although August and much of September may feel quite hot.

At UW, temperatures are rarely extreme. Winters are cool rather than severely cold, and summers are often comfortably warm without the humidity common in North Carolina. The drawback is persistent drizzle, overcast skies, and shorter-feeling daylight in late fall and winter. Seattle’s rain is often lighter than a Durham thunderstorm, but the grayness can be more noticeable because it lasts for weeks.

For your stated preference for comfortable temperatures, the University of Washington has the edge, particularly from late spring through early fall. But if sunshine matters nearly as much as temperature and you would find a long gray winter draining, Duke is the more appealing weather choice overall.