South Carolina Climate and Average Weather
Climate of South Carolina: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in South Carolina 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 | 54° | 35° | 3,0 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 61° | 41° | 2,8 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| March | 72° | 49° | 3,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| April | 80° | 56° | 1,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| May | 82° | 63° | 5,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 91° | 71° | 2,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 93° | 75° | 5,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| August | 88° | 71° | 4,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 84° | 66° | 2,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 74° | 55° | 2,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 67° | 48° | 2,2 in | ★★★★☆ |
| December | 58° | 40° | 3,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in South Carolina
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How South Carolina compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against South Carolina.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte | 85 mi | 62°F | 35°F cooler | 40 in |
| Chimney Rock State Park | 121 mi | 57°F | 40°F cooler | 44 in |
| Savannah | 133 mi | 67°F | +34°F warmer | 48 in |
| Asheville | 140 mi | 56°F | 41°F cooler | 34 in |
| Buncombe County | 140 mi | 56°F | 41°F cooler | 34 in |
Climate by national park in South Carolina
1 national parks mapped in this atlas
Climate by city in South Carolina
2 cities mapped in this atlas
Climate by state park in South Carolina
1 state and provincial parks mapped in this atlas
Climate by county in South Carolina
1 counties mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit South Carolina
Go in April, June, September and October. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, July and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for South Carolina
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 86°F is in line with the 88°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 71°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- A packable rain shell - 2 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, July and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
South Carolina is a state in United States. South Carolina is a US state with its capital at Columbia. It has a population of about 5.4 million. The capital is Columbia.
Right now it is 78°F (25°C) in South Carolina with mainly clear. It feels like 84°F. Today runs from 71°F to 86°F. Chance of precipitation is 8%. Sightseeing conditions score 9.5/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit South Carolina is April, June, September and October. The climate is temperate. January, July and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 93°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 35°F.
The closest major airport is Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), about 196 mi away. Nearby highlights include Congaree National Park, Hunting Island State Park, Myrtle Beach and Chimney Rock State Park.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 86°F is in line with the 88°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. sightseeing is the strongest bet in South Carolina today at 9.5/10. 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.
Quick facts about South Carolina
| Type | State |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 34°0′2.5″N 81°2′5.3″W (34.0007, -81.0348) |
| Capital | Columbia |
| Population | 5.370.000 |
| Area | 32.021 sq mi |
| Abbreviation | SC |
| Time zone | America/New_York |
| Local time | 1:01 AM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | April, June, September and October |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for South Carolina
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore South Carolina
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is South Carolina?
South Carolina is a state in United States. Its coordinates are 34.0007, -81.0348. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in South Carolina right now?
It is currently 78°F (25°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 83% and wind is 6 mph.
When is the best time to visit South Carolina?
April, June, September and October offer the most comfortable conditions in South Carolina, which has a temperate climate. January, July and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is South Carolina in?
South Carolina observes America/New_York (UTC-04:00). The local time is 1:01 AM.
How many people live in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a population of approximately 5.4 million.
What is the nearest airport to South Carolina?
The closest airports are Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), 196 mi away.
What are the top things to do in South Carolina?
Popular options include Congaree National Park, Hunting Island State Park, Myrtle Beach, Chimney Rock State Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Grayson Highlands State Park.
What places are in South Carolina?
South Carolina covers 5 places in this atlas, including Congaree National Park, Charleston, Hunting Island State Park, Myrtle Beach and Charleston County.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (us-states) - 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 23, 2026 at 1:01 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
