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Weather & Climate in Charleston, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Charleston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F (19°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 315 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 56.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 74% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet.
Temperature
54°F Jan (12°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 66.8°F |
| 24% above US avg | |
| January Average | 54°F (12°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 315 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Area | 109.0 sq mi (282.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,319/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.8280°N, 79.9729°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Charleston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Charleston Afb/International (CHS) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 73.5% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively High |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
34 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Aug 21, 1992 | 1 km SSE of Centerville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 25 km | 7 km |
| Apr 17, 1995 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.9 | 26 km | 8 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 24 km SSE of Kiawah Island, South Carolina | M3.5 | 45 km | 4 km |
| Nov 13, 1990 | 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M3.5 | 20 km | 3 km |
| Aug 29, 2009 | 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.2 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2004 | 7 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 30 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 32 km | 11 km |
| Mar 19, 2014 | 0 km WNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 27 km | 7 km |
| Mar 29, 1999 | 3 km NNW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M3.0 | 31 km | 11 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 33 km | 10 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 115 km | 2 km |
| Mar 2, 2003 | 7 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.9 | 21 km | 7 km |
| Feb 7, 1990 | 9 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.9 | 20 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 2002 | 1 km NW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M2.9 | 28 km | 11 km |
| May 12, 2010 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 19 km | 1 km |
| Jul 16, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 20 km | 7 km |
| Jul 31, 2012 | 5 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.8 | 22 km | 8 km |
| Jan 11, 2002 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.7 | 20 km | 6 km |
| May 1, 2004 | 3 km ENE of Goose Creek, South Carolina | M2.7 | 19 km | 11 km |
| Jun 12, 2003 | 5 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.6 | 29 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 83 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 82 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 95 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 196 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 109 mph | 37 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 141 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 281 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 176 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 57 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 40 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 1 | 81 mph | 204 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 109 mph | 144 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 200 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 92 mph | 115 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 204 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 184 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 156 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 17 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 86 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 149 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
261 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 103 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 39 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1960 | EF3 | 14 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 99 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 52 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 99 km | 10.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 99 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2015 | EF2 | 14 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 26 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | EF2 | 39 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | EF2 | 68 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1998 | EF2 | 29 km | 10.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 8, 1998 | EF2 | 76 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1988 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 1 |
| Sep 4, 1979 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1978 | EF2 | 82 km | 41.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF2 | 8 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF1 | 32 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1886 | CHARLESTON, SC | Earthquake | — | — | 8 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (13,429 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 13,429 | 40 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 11,023 | 39 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 8,560 | 43 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 8,439 | 43 km |
| 1997 | MURRELL | 5,126 | 48 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,893 | 46 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,890 | 57 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,852 | 39 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,813 | 49 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 4,336 | 45 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,269 | 95 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,955 | 42 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 70 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,746 | 93 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE HELLHOLE | 3,724 | 40 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,641 | 48 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,367 | 60 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,217 | 49 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,104 | 40 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,098 | 41 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 54°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| February | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| March | 58°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 7.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 5.7 in | |
| October | 67°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 59°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| December | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in |
Charleston has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 51°F in February to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.2") and November the driest (2.6").