Monthly climate guide

Charleston in October

Charleston is in mid-autumn during October, a shoulder-season month where conditions can vary between warmer or cooler week to week. It tends to be warmly comfortable through the day, and a gentle drop-off once the sun goes down. Conditions tend to feel steady, which makes planning simple. You get a comfortable daylight window for day trips and sightseeing.

Annual ranking snapshot

Ranked across 12 months

October in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Charleston.

Hottest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#6 / 12

Sits around the middle of the year.

Wettest (avg)
IN-BETWEEN
#5 / 12

Typical rainfall for the year.

Daylight Hours
IN-BETWEEN
#8 / 12

Around the yearly average.

Windiest (avg)
WIND
#9 / 12

Close to the yearly wind average.

Highest UV
UV
#8 / 12

Near the middle of the yearly UV range.

Most Humid
HUMID
#6 / 12

Humidity stays close to the yearly norm.

Climate normals

Four planning pillars

Monthly climate breakdown

A detailed look at the typical climate conditions for October.

Thermal profile

Temperature

Typical daytime high

Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Light window

Sunshine

11.4 h

Average daylight

UV index (max)
6
Typical sun hours
06:24 - 17:45

Wet-day pattern

Rain & Snow

Typical rainfall

Rainy days
10 days
Cloud cover (avg)
43%

Air feel

Humidity & Wind

76%

Average humidity

Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Historical daily baseline

Daily climate explorer

Pick a day to inspect the usual conditions through October in Charleston. Based on a 30-year historical climate baseline, not a forecast.

Primary control

Select a day

Scroll to compare daily conditions. The summary updates with your selection.

Secondary context

Monthly trend

Day 15 selected

Median daytime highs across the month, with a softer low line.

Daily climate explorer for OctoberMonthly trend chart for the selected climate metric, with the chosen day marked.1020304011631°C
Median temperatureMedian lowTypical range

Day 15 selected for October. Temperature 23.8°C.

Historical disruption baseline

Typical disruptions in October

Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in October.

Humidity High impact

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.5 days / month

Share of days
~21% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters

Muggy conditions are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 12% of days (3.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.8 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~66mm (P95)
Why this matters

Rain disruption risk appears on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 12% of days (3.7 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.7 days / month

Share of days
~12% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~67mm (P95)
Why this matters

Washout conditions are possible on ~4 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 4% of days (1.3 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.3 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~96km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~98km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Heat Moderate

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 4% of days (1.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.2 days / month

Share of days
~4% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~35°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~1 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Show all disruptions (24 more)
Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.5 days / month

Share of days
~8% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~73mm (P95)
Why this matters

Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 3% of days (1.0 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.0 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~91mm (P95)
Why this matters

Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.8 days/month in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~81mm (P95)
Why this matters

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Extreme rain Measures: Extreme rain days (>=50mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.4 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~112mm (P95)
Why this matters

Extreme rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~112km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Severe gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Visibility Moderate

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 3% of days (1.1 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.1 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95% (P95)
Why this matters

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cold Moderate

Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 2% of days (0.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~2% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~5°C (P95)
Why this matters

Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 42% of days (13.0 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

13.0 days / month

Share of days
~42% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~93% (P95)
Why this matters

High humidity is possible on ~13 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 39% of days (12.0 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

12.0 days / month

Share of days
~39% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~35mm (P95)
Why this matters

Measurable rain is possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 37% of days (11.6 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.6 days / month

Share of days
~37% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~23°C (P95)
Why this matters

Humid conditions are possible on ~12 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 36% of days (11.1 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

11.1 days / month

Share of days
~36% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Cloudy skies are possible on ~11 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 30% of days (9.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

9.2 days / month

Share of days
~30% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~70km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Gusty conditions are possible on ~9 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 28% of days (8.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

8.8 days / month

Share of days
~28% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~20h (P95)
Why this matters

Several rainy hours are possible on ~9 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.5 days / month

Share of days
~21% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

6.2 days / month

Share of days
~20% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~22h (P95)
Why this matters

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Heat Minor

Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 11% of days (3.4 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

3.4 days / month

Share of days
~11% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters

Warm nights are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 9% of days (2.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.8 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~100% (P95)
Why this matters

Overcast skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 9% of days (2.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

2.8 days / month

Share of days
~9% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters

Convective risk signal appears on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Other Minor

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 3% of days (1.1 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

1.1 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~95 (P95)
Why this matters

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Wind Minor

Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.8 days / month

Share of days
~3% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36km/h (P95)
Why this matters

Breezy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Heat Minor

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.3 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~31°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot days are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity Minor

Oppressive humidity Measures: Oppressive humidity days (dew point >=24C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~24°C (P95)
Why this matters

Oppressive humidity is possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Hot nights Measures: Hot nights (min >=25C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.2 days / month

Share of days
~1% of days
Upper edge
Up to ~25°C (P95)
Why this matters

Hot nights are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.1 days/month in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

Likely frequency

0.1 days / month

Share of days
Upper edge
Up to ~36°C (P95)
Why this matters

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Travel planning FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.

Is October a good time to visit Charleston?

Typical October days in Charleston reach highs of 24°C (75°F) with nights around 17°C (63°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. Overall, October sits in the middle of the Charleston climate range.

What are temperatures like in October?

In October, you can usually expect highs of 24°C (75°F) and lows near 17°C (63°F). That means warm days and mild nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.

How much does it rain in October?

Rainfall in October averages 94 mm (3.7 in) across roughly 10 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.

How many hours of daylight are there in October?

You can expect about 11 hours of daylight in October. Sunrise is typically around 06:24 and sunset near 17:45. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.

How strong is the sun in October?

UV levels are often high (around 6). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.

Is it windy in October?

In October, average wind speeds are around 13 km/h (8 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 50 km/h (31 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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