Charleston Weather History
West Virginia · US States · Weather data 1976–today
Charleston sits 4269km from the equator, 183m above sea level. That combination gives it a climate with hot, humid summers, mild winters, and rain year round (Humid subtropical climate). Its record high is 39.4°C, set 2007-08-16, its record low -30.7°C, set 1994-01-19.
Data through August 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Charleston
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Charleston?
The highest temperature in this record for Charleston is 39.4°C, measured on 2007-08-16. That is a recorded daily value from Charleston's own series covering 1976 to 2025, not an estimate or a regional average.
What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Charleston?
The lowest temperature in this record for Charleston is -30.7°C, measured on 1994-01-19. Together with the heat record above, that spans the full range this city has actually experienced across 1976 to 2025.
How much rain does Charleston get a year?
Charleston averages 1262mm of precipitation a year, spread across roughly 147 days with at least 1mm. That average is taken over 50 complete calendar years, so one exceptionally wet or dry year does not set the figure.
What was the wettest day on record in Charleston?
On 2016-06-23, 118.4mm fell on Charleston, the highest single-day total in this series. For scale, that is roughly 9% of what the city receives in an average full year, in one day.
How many hours of sunshine does Charleston get a year?
Charleston averages 3125 sunshine hours a year, which works out to about 8.6 hours a day across the whole year. Sunshine hours measure the time direct sunlight actually reaches the ground, not simply how long it is light.
How warm are summers and how cold are winters in Charleston?
Across the summer months Charleston averages a daytime high near 28.3°C, while winter nights average -1.4°C. The seasons here are set from Charleston's position relative to the equator rather than a fixed northern-hemisphere calendar.
What is the strongest wind recorded in Charleston?
The strongest wind speed recorded in Charleston is 43 km/h, on 2023-04-01. That is the daily maximum sustained wind rather than the peak gust, which typically runs higher still.
