Temperature range
Typical highs and lows
High30.3°C
Low6.8°C
The broad yearly range between warm daytime highs and the coolest overnight lows.
United States Charleston, United States
The climate in Charleston is continental, with annual average temperatures spanning 14°C / 58°F during January up to 30°C / 87°F in July.
Annual rainfall patterns show an average of 99 mm / 3.9 inches per month, with August being the wettest (161 mm / 6.3 inches) and November the driest (64 mm / 2.5 inches).
The UV index ranges from 4 in December to 9 in June, so strong sun protection is essential during summer months.
The longest days occur in June with around 14.3 hours of daylight, while December has the shortest days at about 10 hours.
Trip planning
Plan your trip
Find the best dates. Understand the conditions. Pack with confidence.
Climate overview
Climate at a glance
The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Charleston.
Rain pattern
Wettest point of the year
161 mm
August carries the highest typical rainfall load.
Sun exposure
Typical peak UV band
High (7.0)
A fast read on how strong midday sun typically gets across the year.
Daylight window
Seasonal daylight range
10 hrsto14 hrs
Useful for gauging how much sightseeing time you get in shorter versus longer seasons.
Wind profile
Typical breeze strength
14 km/h
March is typically the breeziest month.
Humidity
Typical moisture range
72 %to82 %
A quick signal for how dry, comfortable, or heavy the air tends to feel.
When should I go?
Our top-rated months for visiting Charleston, based on long-term weather comfort and conditions
Typical weather by month
Compare all monthsTip: click on a card to see detailed daily weather averages for that month.
How Charleston compares
See how it ranks against the rest of United States for key metrics.
HOTTEST (AVG)
in United States
#10 / 20
COOLEST (AVG)
in United States
#16 / 20
WETTEST (TOTAL)
in United States
#5 / 20
WINDIEST (AVG)
in United States
#7 / 20
HIGHEST UV
in United States
#9 / 20
MOST HUMID
in United States
#5 / 20
Short term outlook
Visiting soon? Here's the next 7 days of weather for Charleston, or see an hourly breakdown for the next 14 days.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
How does the weather in Charleston feel over the year?
On a typical year, you can expect highs around 23°C (73°F) and lows near 16°C (61°F). Conditions usually feel warm in the daytime and mild once the sun goes down. You may notice some humidity at times. Expect a mix of sun and cloud across the year.
When is the best time to visit Charleston for dry weather?
When is sun exposure strongest in Charleston?
UV tends to peak in June, when UV levels frequently reach very high levels (around 9), so strong sun protection is essential, especially around midday.
Is Charleston humid?
It can feel humid, especially in the warmer months, when humidity can climb to around 82%. Light, breathable fabrics help a lot on muggy days.
Is Charleston a windy place?
Across the year, average winds sit around 14 km/h (9 mph), with gusts on windier days up to about 59 km/h (37 mph). Overall it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.
How much daylight does Charleston get?
On average, days offer about 12 hours of daylight. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.