Columbia Weather History
South Carolina · US States · Weather data 1976–today
Columbia sits 3785km from the equator, 69m 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 42.6°C, set 2012-07-01, its record low -13.7°C, set 1980-03-03.
Data through August 4, 2026.
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Columbia
What is the hottest temperature ever recorded in Columbia?
The highest temperature in this record for Columbia is 42.6°C, measured on 2012-07-01. That is a recorded daily value from Columbia's own series covering 1976 to 2025, not an estimate or a regional average.
What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Columbia?
The lowest temperature in this record for Columbia is -13.7°C, measured on 1980-03-03. Together with the heat record above, that spans the full range this city has actually experienced across 1976 to 2025.
How much rain does Columbia get a year?
Columbia averages 1108mm of precipitation a year, spread across roughly 120 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 Columbia?
On 2026-08-01, 148.0mm fell on Columbia, the highest single-day total in this series. For scale, that is roughly 13% of what the city receives in an average full year, in one day.
How many hours of sunshine does Columbia get a year?
Columbia averages 3381 sunshine hours a year, which works out to about 9.3 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 Columbia?
Across the summer months Columbia averages a daytime high near 31.5°C, while winter nights average 3.5°C. The seasons here are set from Columbia's position relative to the equator rather than a fixed northern-hemisphere calendar.
What is the strongest wind recorded in Columbia?
The strongest wind speed recorded in Columbia is 66 km/h, on 1989-09-22. That is the daily maximum sustained wind rather than the peak gust, which typically runs higher still.
