Charleston Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Charleston: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
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).
Recent extremes in Charleston
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
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 |
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.
What this means for Charleston
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 88°F is in line with the 86°F typical for this month.
A 45% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
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 67°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 - 5 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- 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 80°F (27°C) in Charleston with clear. It feels like 90°F. Today runs from 74°F to 88°F. Chance of precipitation is 45%. Sightseeing conditions score 8.4/10 - good conditions.
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 about average for August. The forecast high of 88°F is in line with 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. outdoors is the strongest bet in Charleston today at 8.6/10. 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 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 | 10:54 PM (UTC-04:00) |
| Best months | March, April, June, September and November |
| Climate | Temperate |
Weather map for Charleston
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 Charleston
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 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 80°F (27°C) with clear. Humidity is 89% and wind is 6 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 10:54 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 23, 2026 at 10:54 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
