Best Time to Visit Charleston
Best time to visit Charleston: March, April, June, September and November. Month-by-month temperature, rainfall and crowd guidance.
Best time to visit Charleston
Go in March, April, June, September and November. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, August and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
Climate in Charleston month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56° | 40° | 3,1 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 61° | 46° | 3,3 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 69° | 53° | 3,3 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 75° | 60° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 81° | 68° | 4,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 86° | 74° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 89° | 78° | 5,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 86° | 75° | 6,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| September | 82° | 70° | 3,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 75° | 61° | 4,1 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 68° | 54° | 1,9 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 60° | 46° | 4,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
How Charleston compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Charleston.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston County | 0 mi | 67°F | about the same | 46 in |
| Hunting Island State Park | 40 mi | 67°F | about the same | 47 in |
| Savannah | 83 mi | 67°F | about the same | 48 in |
| Congaree National Park | 86 mi | 65°F | 34°F cooler | 39 in |
| Myrtle Beach | 87 mi | 65°F | 34°F cooler | 48 in |
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, August and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Charleston is a city in South Carolina. Charleston is known for Antebellum architecture and low country food. It has a population of about 150.000.
Right now it is 85°F (30°C) in Charleston with clear sky. It feels like 92°F. Today runs from 79°F to 89°F. Chance of precipitation is 8%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.6/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit Charleston is March, April, June, September and November. The climate is temperate. January, August and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 89°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 40°F.
The closest major airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), about 267 mi away. Nearby highlights include Hunting Island State Park, Congaree National Park, Myrtle Beach and Chimney Rock State Park.
In plain terms. Today is slightly warmer than average for August. The forecast high of 89°F is 3.4°F above the 86°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. swimming is the strongest bet in Charleston today at 9.7/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Weather in Charleston right now
Source: Open-Meteo. Updated 7:52 PM, Aug 22 local time.
Weekend outlook
🌧️ 86° / 74°
Heavy rain · 37% rain · wind 10 mph
☁️ 95° / 74°
Overcast · 17% rain · wind 12 mph
Things to do in Charleston
Attractions, parks and landmarks in and around Charleston.
Quick facts about Charleston
| Type | City |
|---|---|
| State | South Carolina |
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 32°46′35.4″N 79°55′52″W (32.7765, -79.9311) |
| Population | 150.000 |
| Known for | Antebellum architecture and low country food |
| Local time | 7:52 PM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | March, April, June, September and November |
| Climate | Temperate |
Explore Charleston
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Best Time to Visit for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Charleston?
Charleston is a city in South Carolina. Its coordinates are 32.7765, -79.9311. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Charleston right now?
It is currently 85°F (30°C) with clear sky. Humidity is 73% and wind is 11 mph.
When is the best time to visit Charleston?
March, April, June, September and November offer the most comfortable conditions in Charleston, which has a temperate climate. January, August and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Charleston in?
Charleston observes America/New_York (UTC-04:00). The local time is 7:52 PM.
How many people live in Charleston?
Charleston has a population of approximately 150.000.
What is the nearest airport to Charleston?
The closest airports are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), 267 mi away.
What are the top things to do in Charleston?
Popular options include Hunting Island State Park, Congaree National Park, Myrtle Beach and Chimney Rock State Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (cities-us) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Official alerts | US National Weather Service. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 22, 2026 at 7:52 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
