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Charleston, SC Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in Charleston, SC?
Charleston, SC gets 44.3 in of precipitation a year over about 102 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 88°F) and January the coldest (average low 44°F).
Humid subtropical climate
Charleston, SC has hot summers and mild winters. Daytime highs range from about 59°F in January to 88°F in July. August is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to May and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 46° | 60° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 60° | 73° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 76° | 86° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 63° | 75° |
How much rain does Charleston get?
Charleston gets 44.3 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 102 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 62% of the US.
August is the wettest month, with 6.1 in. November is the driest, with 2.3 in. August has the most rainy days, about 12.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 26 days, to December 7, 2021.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Charleston got 29.5 in of rain, against a normal of 44.3 in for those months. August 2026 had the most, with 5.9 in.
See where Charleston ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in South Carolina.
Charleston weather by month
Charleston weather in January
In January, Charleston averages a high of 59°F and a low of 44°F. It gets 2.6 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 80°F (1975) and the record low is 10°F (1985).
Charleston weather in February
In February, Charleston averages a high of 61°F and a low of 46°F. It gets 2.6 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 42% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 83°F (2023) and the record low is 19°F (1996).
Charleston weather in March
In March, Charleston averages a high of 66°F and a low of 52°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 88°F (1977) and the record low is 22°F (1980). March is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Charleston weather in April
In April, Charleston averages a high of 73°F and a low of 60°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 55% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 94°F (1980) and the record low is 36°F (1982). April is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Charleston weather in May
In May, Charleston averages a high of 79°F and a low of 68°F. It gets 2.6 in of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 48% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 100°F (2019) and the record low is 49°F (1999). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Charleston weather in June
In June, Charleston averages a high of 85°F and a low of 74°F. It gets 4.8 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 104°F (1985) and the record low is 58°F (1988).
Charleston weather in July
In July, Charleston averages a high of 88°F and a low of 77°F. It gets 5.1 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 36% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The July record high is 103°F (1977) and the record low is 65°F (1997).
Charleston weather in August
In August, Charleston averages a high of 87°F and a low of 77°F. It gets 6.1 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 103°F (1999) and the record low is 59°F (1986).
Charleston weather in September
In September, Charleston averages a high of 83°F and a low of 73°F. It gets 5.3 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 44% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 98°F (1985) and the record low is 55°F (1983).
Charleston weather in October
In October, Charleston averages a high of 76°F and a low of 63°F. It gets 4.1 in of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 59% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 93°F (1986) and the record low is 39°F (2017). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Charleston weather in November
In November, Charleston averages a high of 67°F and a low of 53°F. It gets 2.3 in of precipitation over about 6 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 85°F (1972) and the record low is 24°F (1970). November is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Charleston weather in December
In December, Charleston averages a high of 61°F and a low of 47°F. It gets 2.9 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 48% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 81°F (1998) and the record low is 18°F (1989).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Charleston
October is the sunniest month in Charleston, with estimated sunshine of 59% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. July is the cloudiest, at 36%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 46% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Charleston is cloudier than 52% of the US.
Humidity peaks in August at 82% and is lowest in April at 69%.
Charleston has about 29 days a year above 90°F. Charleston is cooler than 51% of the US.
See where Charleston ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Charleston
The first fall freeze in Charleston typically comes around December 13, and the last spring freeze around February 13. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 303 days.
Charleston weather records
These records cover DWTN CHARLESTON during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Charleston station is 104°F, on June 2, 1985. The coldest is 10°F, on January 21, 1985.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 10.4 in of precipitation, on June 11, 1973.
25 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.4°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Charleston
The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to May and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.
Winter (December–February) is mild, with average highs around 60°F and lows near 46°F.
Spring (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 73°F and lows near 60°F.
Summer (June–August) is hot, with average highs around 86°F and lows near 76°F. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 75°F and lows near 63°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44° | 59° | 2.6 in | 8 | 72% | 46% | 80° | 10° |
| February | 46° | 61° | 2.6 in | 8 | 74% | 42% | 83° | 19° |
| March | 52° | 66° | 3.0 in | 8 | 71% | 43% | 88° | 22° |
| April | 60° | 73° | 3.0 in | 7 | 69% | 55% | 94° | 36° |
| May | 68° | 79° | 2.6 in | 7 | 74% | 48% | 100° | 49° |
| June | 74° | 85° | 4.8 in | 11 | 78% | 40% | 104° | 58° |
| July | 77° | 88° | 5.1 in | 12 | 81% | 36% | 103° | 65° |
| August | 77° | 87° | 6.1 in | 12 | 82% | 38% | 103° | 59° |
| September | 73° | 83° | 5.3 in | 9 | 80% | 44% | 98° | 55° |
| October | 63° | 76° | 4.1 in | 7 | 77% | 59% | 93° | 39° |
| November | 53° | 67° | 2.3 in | 6 | 74% | 51% | 85° | 24° |
| December | 47° | 61° | 2.9 in | 9 | 74% | 48% | 81° | 18° |
Station: DWTN CHARLESTON, 1 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1970–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.
Charleston climate questions
How much rain does Charleston get?
Charleston gets 44.3 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 102 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Charleston?
August is the wettest month in Charleston, with 6.1 in. November is the driest, with 2.3 in.
How many rainy days does Charleston have a year?
Charleston has about 102 days with measurable rain in an average year. August has the most, about 12.
What is the hottest month in Charleston?
July is the warmest month in Charleston, with an average high of 88°F.
What is the coldest month in Charleston?
January is the coldest month in Charleston, with an average low of 44°F.
What is the record high temperature in Charleston?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Charleston station is 104°F, set on June 2, 1985. The record low is 10°F, on January 21, 1985.
What is the sunniest month in Charleston?
October is the sunniest month in Charleston, with estimated sunshine of 59% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. July is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Charleston?
The first fall freeze in Charleston typically comes around December 13. The last spring freeze is around February 13.
What is the best time to visit Charleston?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically March to May and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 72°F.