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Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
Columbia, SC gets 48.1 in of precipitation a year over about 117 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 95°F) and January the coldest (average low 37°F).
Humid subtropical climate
Columbia, SC has hot summers and mild winters. Daytime highs range from about 60°F in January to 95°F in July. June is usually the wettest month, and snow falls in winter. The most comfortable time to visit is typically February to March and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 39° | 62° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 54° | 80° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 71° | 94° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 55° | 79° |
How much rain does Columbia get?
Columbia gets 48.1 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 117 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 75% of the US.
June is the wettest month, with 5.4 in. April is the driest, with 2.9 in. July has the most rainy days, about 12.
The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 35 days, to November 1, 2024.
From September 2025 to August 2026 Columbia got 29.1 in of rain, against a normal of 48.1 in for those months. August 2026 had the most, with 5.9 in.
See where Columbia ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in South Carolina.
Does it snow in Columbia?
Rarely. The reporting station for Columbia averages under 0.5 in of snow a season.
The snowiest winter on record is 1972–73, with 18.2 in.
The most recent measurable snow at the station fell on February 1, 2026.
From September 2025 to August 2026 the station measured 2.9 in of snow, against a normal of 0.2 in for those months. January 2026 had the most, with 2.8 in.
See where Columbia ranks: snowiest cities in the US.
Columbia weather by month
Columbia weather in January
In January, Columbia averages a high of 60°F and a low of 37°F. It gets 3.8 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 45% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The January record high is 84°F (1975) and the record low is 1°F (1985).
Columbia weather in February
In February, Columbia averages a high of 64°F and a low of 40°F. It gets 3.5 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The February record high is 86°F (1996) and the record low is 10°F (1973). February is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Columbia weather in March
In March, Columbia averages a high of 72°F and a low of 46°F. It gets 4.1 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The March record high is 92°F (2007) and the record low is 12°F (1980). March is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Columbia weather in April
In April, Columbia averages a high of 80°F and a low of 54°F. It gets 2.9 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 53% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The April record high is 97°F (2002) and the record low is 29°F (1983).
Columbia weather in May
In May, Columbia averages a high of 87°F and a low of 62°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 9 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 42% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The May record high is 105°F (2019) and the record low is 39°F (1989).
Columbia weather in June
In June, Columbia averages a high of 93°F and a low of 69°F. It gets 5.4 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The June record high is 113°F (2012) and the record low is 49°F (2026).
Columbia weather in July
In July, Columbia averages a high of 95°F and a low of 73°F. It gets 5.2 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 109°F (2012) and the record low is 58°F (1979).
Columbia weather in August
In August, Columbia averages a high of 94°F and a low of 72°F. It gets 5.0 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The August record high is 109°F (1999) and the record low is 57°F (2025).
Columbia weather in September
In September, Columbia averages a high of 89°F and a low of 66°F. It gets 4.3 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The September record high is 104°F (2002) and the record low is 44°F (1980).
Columbia weather in October
In October, Columbia averages a high of 79°F and a low of 55°F. It gets 3.3 in of precipitation over about 7 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 61% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The October record high is 104°F (2019) and the record low is 28°F (1977). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Columbia weather in November
In November, Columbia averages a high of 69°F and a low of 45°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 8 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 51% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The November record high is 89°F (1974) and the record low is 18°F (1970). November is one of the most comfortable months to visit.
Columbia weather in December
In December, Columbia averages a high of 61°F and a low of 39°F. It gets 3.9 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. Estimated sunshine is 47% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. The December record high is 84°F (1998) and the record low is 7°F (1983).
Sunshine, humidity and wind in Columbia
October is the sunniest month in Columbia, with estimated sunshine of 61% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. July is the cloudiest, at 36%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 45% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. Columbia is cloudier than 58% of the US.
Humidity peaks in August at 76% and is lowest in April at 55%.
Columbia has about 92 days a year above 90°F. Columbia is hotter than 90% of the US.
Thunderstorms occur on about 15 days a year.
See where Columbia ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.
First and last freeze in Columbia
The first fall freeze in Columbia typically comes around November 17, and the last spring freeze around March 17. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 245 days.
Columbia weather records
These records cover COLUMBIA UNIV OF SC during 1970–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
The hottest temperature on record at the Columbia station is 113°F, on June 29, 2012. The coldest is 1°F, on January 21, 1985.
The wettest day in the available station history brought 6.0 in of precipitation, on September 26, 2024.
38 all-time records have been set at the station since 1970.
The annual mean temperature has changed by +0.6°F per decade since 1970.
The best time to visit Columbia
The most comfortable time to visit is typically February to March and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.
Winter (December–February) is mild, with average highs around 62°F and lows near 39°F. Snow is possible.
Spring (March–May) is warm, with average highs around 80°F and lows near 54°F.
Summer (June–August) is hot, with average highs around 94°F and lows near 71°F. It can feel humid.
Autumn (September–November) is warm, with average highs around 79°F and lows near 55°F.
Monthly climate
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 60° | 3.8 in | 11 | 64% | 45% | 84° | 1° |
| February | 40° | 64° | 3.5 in | 10 | 64% | 40% | 86° | 10° |
| March | 46° | 72° | 4.1 in | 10 | 59% | 41% | 92° | 12° |
| April | 54° | 80° | 2.9 in | 8 | 55% | 53% | 97° | 29° |
| May | 62° | 87° | 3.6 in | 9 | 62% | 42% | 105° | 39° |
| June | 69° | 93° | 5.4 in | 12 | 67% | 40% | 113° | 49° |
| July | 73° | 95° | 5.2 in | 12 | 73% | 36% | 109° | 58° |
| August | 72° | 94° | 5.0 in | 11 | 76% | 40% | 109° | 57° |
| September | 66° | 89° | 4.3 in | 8 | 72% | 46% | 104° | 44° |
| October | 55° | 79° | 3.3 in | 7 | 69% | 61% | 104° | 28° |
| November | 45° | 69° | 3.0 in | 8 | 65% | 51% | 89° | 18° |
| December | 39° | 61° | 3.9 in | 10 | 68% | 47% | 84° | 7° |
Station: COLUMBIA UNIV OF SC, 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.
Columbia climate questions
How much rain does Columbia get?
Columbia gets 48.1 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 117 rainy days.
What is the wettest month in Columbia?
June is the wettest month in Columbia, with 5.4 in. April is the driest, with 2.9 in.
How many rainy days does Columbia have a year?
Columbia has about 117 days with measurable rain in an average year. July has the most, about 12.
Does it snow in Columbia?
Rarely. The reporting station for Columbia averages under 0.5 in of snow a season. The snowiest winter on record is 1972–73, with 18.2 in.
What is the hottest month in Columbia?
July is the warmest month in Columbia, with an average high of 95°F.
What is the coldest month in Columbia?
January is the coldest month in Columbia, with an average low of 37°F.
What is the record high temperature in Columbia?
Within the available 1970–2026 station history, the record high at the Columbia station is 113°F, set on June 29, 2012. The record low is 1°F, on January 21, 1985.
What is the sunniest month in Columbia?
October is the sunniest month in Columbia, with estimated sunshine of 61% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. July is the cloudiest.
When is the first frost in Columbia?
The first fall freeze in Columbia typically comes around November 17. The last spring freeze is around March 17.
What is the best time to visit Columbia?
The most comfortable time to visit is typically February to March and October to November, when daytime highs sit near 71°F.