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Charleston, United States

Charleston, United States

Best Time to Visit Charleston

Weather month by month, from 20 years of weather-station records.

Best months
April, May, and October
Warmest month
July, 31°C
Wettest month
August, 181 mm

Charleston weather by month

Average daily high and low, total rainfall and days with at least 2.5 mm of rain.

MonthHigh / lowRainVerdict
January15°C / 7°C57 mm · 5 daysFair
February16°C / 8°C68 mm · 5 daysGood
March19°C / 12°C75 mm · 5 daysGood
April23°C / 16°C79 mm · 5 daysGreat
May26°C / 20°C76 mm · 5 daysGreat
June30°C / 24°C125 mm · 7 daysFair
July31°C / 25°C127 mm · 8 daysFair
August31°C / 25°C181 mm · 9 daysFair
September29°C / 23°C117 mm · 5 daysGood
October25°C / 18°C90 mm · 4 daysGreat
November20°C / 12°C54 mm · 4 daysGood
December17°C / 9°C85 mm · 5 daysGood

Charleston by season

Spring

Spring is Charleston's glorious peak season. The city is awash in blooming azaleas, jasmine, and wisteria, with perfect warm-but-not-hot temperatures.

  • + Ideal weather (70s-80s °F)
  • + Gorgeous garden blooms
  • + Outdoor festivals begin
  • − Highest hotel and flight prices
  • − Significant crowds

Summer

Hot, humid, and vibrant, with long days perfect for beach trips. Afternoon thunderstorms are common but brief.

  • + Long daylight hours
  • + Beach weather
  • + Some lower weekday hotel rates
  • − Intense heat and humidity (90s °F)
  • − Afternoon thunderstorms

Autumn

A second perfect season, with warm days, cool evenings, and significantly fewer crowds than spring. The humidity drops, making exploration comfortable.

  • + Pleasant temperatures
  • + Fewer tourists
  • + Good hotel rates post-summer
  • − Still hurricane season (though risk lessens)
  • − Some seasonal attractions may have reduced hours

Winter

Mild and quiet, with occasional chilly days. While not beach weather, it's excellent for exploring historic sites without the crowds.

  • + Lowest tourist crowds
  • + Best hotel deals
  • + Comfortable for walking and touring
  • − Some restaurants may close for seasonal breaks
  • − Unpredictable, can be chilly (50s °F)

Charleston month by month

Charleston in January

Fair

In January, Charleston averages highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C, with about 5 rainy days and 57 mm of rain. Expect mixed weather, with comfortable spells.

Charleston in February

Good

In February, Charleston averages highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C, with about 5 rainy days and 68 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.

Charleston in March

Good

In March, Charleston averages highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C, with about 5 rainy days and 75 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.

Charleston in April

Great

In April, Charleston averages highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C, with about 5 rainy days and 79 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.

Charleston in May

Great

In May, Charleston averages highs of 26°C and lows of 20°C, with about 5 rainy days and 76 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.

Charleston in June

Fair

In June, Charleston averages highs of 30°C and lows of 24°C, with about 7 rainy days and 125 mm of rain. Expect mixed weather, with comfortable spells.

Charleston in July

Fair

In July, Charleston averages highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C, with about 8 rainy days and 127 mm of rain. Expect mixed weather, with comfortable spells.

Charleston in August

Fair

In August, Charleston averages highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C, with about 9 rainy days and 181 mm of rain. Expect mixed weather, with comfortable spells.

Charleston in September

Good

In September, Charleston averages highs of 29°C and lows of 23°C, with about 5 rainy days and 117 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.

Charleston in October

Great

In October, Charleston averages highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C, with about 4 rainy days and 90 mm of rain. It is one of the most comfortable months for sightseeing.

Charleston in November

Good

In November, Charleston averages highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C, with about 4 rainy days and 54 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.

Charleston in December

Good

In December, Charleston averages highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C, with about 5 rainy days and 85 mm of rain. It is a good month to visit.

Top tours and experiences in Charleston

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

Charleston’s Old South Carriage Historic Horse & Carriage Tour

4.811,086 reviews1h
Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

Historic Charleston Guided Sightseeing Walking Tour

4.97,043 reviews2h
Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

Haunted Evening Horse and Carriage Tour of Charleston

4.74,430 reviews40m
Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

Fort Sumter Access and Self-Guided Tour with Roundtrip Ferry

4.63,966 reviews2h 15m
All things to do in Charleston →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Plan your Charleston trip

Best time to visit Charleston: FAQ

What is the best month to visit Charleston?+

April is the most comfortable month on average, with highs of 23°C. May and October are close behind.

What is the rainiest month in Charleston?+

August is the wettest month, with about 181 mm of rain.

How hot does Charleston get?+

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 31°C and lows of 25°C. The coldest nights come in January, averaging 7°C.

Averages for 2006–2025 from the DWTN CHARLESTON weather station (1 km from the centre), NOAA Global Historical Climatology Network. Verdicts rate sightseeing comfort from daytime highs and rainy days.