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Charleston Weather Records (USP00381549)

Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Charleston (USP00381549), South Carolina, United States, with 48 years of record.

Key Facts for Charleston

  • Charleston (USP00381549) is a weather station in South Carolina, United States at 32.78 latitude and -79.93 longitude, 5 m (17 ft) above sea level.
  • The station reports from 1845 to 1892, 48 years of record.
  • 1,464 records set at Charleston still stand.
  • Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
  • Charleston set a daily record low maximum temperature of 1.7 C (35.1 F) on 28 December 1892.

About the Station

  • Location: South Carolina, United States, 32.78 latitude, -79.93 longitude.
  • Elevation: 5 m (17 ft).
  • Period of record: 1845 to 1892, 48 years.
  • Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp.

Daily Record Envelope and 2026

0 days at or beyond a record
Daily record high and record low at Charleston, with 2026 drawn through them The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Charleston. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius. -2002040 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Charleston. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Charleston, with 2026 drawn through them
MonthHighest record highLowest record low2026 highest maximum2026 lowest minimum
Jan26.7 C (80.1 F)-11.9 C (10.6 F)n/an/a
Feb26.9 C (80.4 F)-10.4 C (13.3 F)n/an/a
Mar30.0 C (86.0 F)-5.0 C (23.0 F)n/an/a
Apr33.3 C (91.9 F)0.0 C (32.0 F)n/an/a
May35.6 C (96.1 F)8.3 C (46.9 F)n/an/a
Jun38.9 C (102.0 F)9.4 C (48.9 F)n/an/a
Jul40.0 C (104.0 F)16.7 C (62.1 F)n/an/a
Aug37.8 C (100.0 F)15.6 C (60.1 F)n/an/a
Sep34.4 C (93.9 F)7.2 C (45.0 F)n/an/a
Oct35.0 C (95.0 F)-1.1 C (30.0 F)n/an/a
Nov29.4 C (84.9 F)-5.6 C (21.9 F)n/an/a
Dec25.6 C (78.1 F)-10.6 C (12.9 F)n/an/a

Which Years Hold Standing Records

1,464 standing records
Standing records at Charleston by the year they were set 1,464 records at Charleston still stand. 1845 holds the most, with 65. 0204060801845: 651846: 351847: 411848: 271849: 551850: 421851: 611852: 491853: 301854: 511855: 461856: 631857: 601858: 441859: 421860: 241861: 351862: 481863: 451876: 411877: 231878: 271879: 481880: 471881: 341882: 251883: 471884: 401885: 211886: 411887: 451888: 261889: 471890: 401891: 321892: 17184518491853185718611877188118851889
1,464 records at Charleston still stand. 1845 holds the most, with 65.
Standing records at Charleston by the year they were set
Year setStanding records
184565
184635
184741
184827
184955
185042
185161
185249
185330
185451
185546
185663
185760
185844
185942
186024
186135
186248
186345
187641
187723
187827
187948
188047
188134
188225
188347
188440
188521
188641
188745
188826
188947
189040
189132
189217

Wettest Day of Each Month

Apr: 210.8 mm (8.3 in)
Record daily precipitation for each month at Charleston The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Charleston. The most was 210.8 mm (8.3 in) on 13 April 1877. 0100200300 Jan: 95.2 mm (3.7 in), 8 January 1884 Jan Feb: 57.2 mm (2.3 in), 4 February 1858 Feb Mar: 116.8 mm (4.6 in), 3 March 1847 Mar Apr: 210.8 mm (8.3 in), 13 April 1877 Apr May: 174.0 mm (6.9 in), 12 May 1845 May Jun: 124.7 mm (4.9 in), 12 June 1876 Jun Jul: 165.1 mm (6.5 in), 28 July 1853 Jul Aug: 127.0 mm (5.0 in), 31 August 1885 Aug Sep: 138.2 mm (5.4 in), 12 September 1884 Sep Oct: 170.2 mm (6.7 in), 13 October 1848 Oct Nov: 99.6 mm (3.9 in), 14 November 1888 Nov Dec: 77.5 mm (3.1 in), 24 December 1887 Dec
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Charleston. The most was 210.8 mm (8.3 in) on 13 April 1877.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Charleston
MonthRecord daily precipitation (mm)Date
Jan95.2 mm (3.7 in)8 January 1884
Feb57.2 mm (2.3 in)4 February 1858
Mar116.8 mm (4.6 in)3 March 1847
Apr210.8 mm (8.3 in)13 April 1877
May174.0 mm (6.9 in)12 May 1845
Jun124.7 mm (4.9 in)12 June 1876
Jul165.1 mm (6.5 in)28 July 1853
Aug127.0 mm (5.0 in)31 August 1885
Sep138.2 mm (5.4 in)12 September 1884
Oct170.2 mm (6.7 in)13 October 1848
Nov99.6 mm (3.9 in)14 November 1888
Dec77.5 mm (3.1 in)24 December 1887

Period of Record Coverage

1845 to 1892
Days with data per year at Charleston 36 years of record at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. 2 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1876, 1881. 1845: 364 of 365 days1846: 360 of 365 days1847: 356 of 365 days1848: 360 of 366 days1849: 362 of 365 days1850: 361 of 365 days1851: 361 of 365 days1852: 360 of 366 days1853: 362 of 365 days1854: 358 of 365 days1855: 362 of 365 days1856: 361 of 366 days1857: 359 of 365 days1858: 358 of 365 days1859: 360 of 365 days1860: 361 of 366 days1861: 356 of 365 days1862: 354 of 365 days1863: 345 of 365 days1876: 306 of 366 days1877: 360 of 365 days1878: 358 of 365 days1879: 364 of 365 days1880: 365 of 366 days1881: 301 of 365 days1882: 364 of 365 days1883: 365 of 365 days1884: 364 of 366 days1885: 334 of 365 days1886: 360 of 365 days1887: 365 of 365 days1888: 364 of 366 days1889: 361 of 365 days1890: 355 of 365 days1891: 357 of 365 days1892: 352 of 366 days1845185018551860188018851890
36 years of record at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. 2 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1876, 1881.
Days with data per year at Charleston
YearDays with dataShare of yearComplete
1845364100%Yes
184636099%Yes
184735698%Yes
184836098%Yes
184936299%Yes
185036199%Yes
185136199%Yes
185236098%Yes
185336299%Yes
185435898%Yes
185536299%Yes
185636199%Yes
185735998%Yes
185835898%Yes
185936099%Yes
186036199%Yes
186135698%Yes
186235497%Yes
186334595%Yes
187630684%No
187736099%Yes
187835898%Yes
1879364100%Yes
1880365100%Yes
188130182%No
1882364100%Yes
1883365100%Yes
188436499%Yes
188533492%Yes
188636099%Yes
1887365100%Yes
188836499%Yes
188936199%Yes
189035597%Yes
189135798%Yes
189235296%Yes

Latest Records

20
Latest records at Charleston
DateStationRecordValueBeat old record byOld record stoodSignificance
28 December 1892Charleston, USdaily low max1.7 C (35.1 F)3.9 C (7.0 F)14 years16 of 100 (Routine)
28 December 1892Charleston, USdaily low min (Tie)-3.9 C (25.0 F)tie14 years2 of 100 (Routine)
17 December 1892Charleston, USdaily high max23.9 C (75.0 F)1.7 C (3.1 F)3 years7 of 100 (Routine)
15 December 1892Charleston, USdaily high max24.4 C (75.9 F)1.6 C (2.9 F)1 year7 of 100 (Routine)
14 December 1892Charleston, USdaily high max24.4 C (75.9 F)1.1 C (2.0 F)11 years9 of 100 (Routine)
24 November 1892Charleston, USdaily low max (Tie)5.6 C (42.1 F)tie12 years1 of 100 (Routine)
24 November 1892Charleston, USdaily low min (Tie)-1.1 C (30.0 F)tie12 years1 of 100 (Routine)
11 November 1892Charleston, USdaily low max (Tie)12.2 C (54.0 F)tie29 years3 of 100 (Routine)
11 November 1892Charleston, USdaily low min (Tie)3.9 C (39.0 F)tie34 years3 of 100 (Routine)
8 November 1892Charleston, USdaily high max27.2 C (81.0 F)1.0 C (1.8 F)4 years7 of 100 (Routine)
31 October 1892Charleston, USdaily low min (Tie)6.1 C (43.0 F)tie5 years1 of 100 (Routine)
26 October 1892Charleston, USdaily low min (Tie)5.0 C (41.0 F)tie42 years4 of 100 (Routine)
26 October 1892Charleston, USdaily low max (Tie)14.4 C (57.9 F)tie29 years3 of 100 (Routine)
22 October 1892Charleston, USdaily high min (Tie)19.4 C (66.9 F)tie45 years4 of 100 (Routine)
21 October 1892Charleston, USdaily high max28.9 C (84.0 F)1.1 C (2.0 F)41 years18 of 100 (Routine)
20 October 1892Charleston, USdaily high max28.9 C (84.0 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)41 years17 of 100 (Routine)
16 October 1892Charleston, USdaily high max (Tie)28.3 C (82.9 F)tie13 years1 of 100 (Routine)
6 October 1892Charleston, USdaily low max18.3 C (64.9 F)2.3 C (4.1 F)29 years18 of 100 (Routine)
26 September 1892Charleston, USdaily high max31.7 C (89.1 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)40 years18 of 100 (Routine)
12 September 1892Charleston, USdaily low max23.9 C (75.0 F)0.5 C (0.9 F)45 years18 of 100 (Routine)

Climate Trend

33 complete years, 1845 to 1892
Annual mean temperature at Charleston as warming stripes, 1845 to 1892 One stripe for each of 33 complete years at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 18.9 C (66.0 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 1862, at 17.7 C (63.8 F), and the warmest was 1890, at 19.9 C (67.9 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.3 C (2.3 F). 1845: 18.2 C, -0.6 C from the station mean1846: 18.5 C, -0.3 C from the station mean1847: 18.9 C, 0.0 C from the station mean1848: 19.1 C, +0.2 C from the station mean1849: 19.2 C, +0.3 C from the station mean1850: 19.5 C, +0.6 C from the station mean1851: 19.5 C, +0.6 C from the station mean1852: 19.3 C, +0.4 C from the station mean1853: 19.0 C, +0.1 C from the station mean1854: 19.3 C, +0.4 C from the station mean1855: 18.8 C, -0.1 C from the station mean1856: 18.2 C, -0.6 C from the station mean1857: 18.2 C, -0.7 C from the station mean1858: 18.9 C, +0.1 C from the station mean1859: 19.2 C, +0.3 C from the station mean1860: 18.6 C, -0.2 C from the station mean1861: 18.1 C, -0.7 C from the station mean1862: 17.7 C, -1.2 C from the station mean1863: 18.2 C, -0.7 C from the station mean1877: 19.1 C, +0.2 C from the station mean1878: 19.3 C, +0.4 C from the station mean1879: 19.2 C, +0.3 C from the station mean1880: 19.4 C, +0.5 C from the station mean1882: 19.6 C, +0.7 C from the station mean1883: 19.6 C, +0.7 C from the station mean1884: 19.5 C, +0.6 C from the station mean1886: 17.8 C, -1.1 C from the station mean1887: 18.5 C, -0.3 C from the station mean1888: 18.8 C, -0.1 C from the station mean1889: 18.7 C, -0.2 C from the station mean1890: 19.9 C, +1.1 C from the station mean1891: 18.9 C, 0.0 C from the station mean1892: 18.4 C, -0.5 C from the station mean1845185018551860186518701875188018851890
One stripe for each of 33 complete years at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 18.9 C (66.0 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 1862, at 17.7 C (63.8 F), and the warmest was 1890, at 19.9 C (67.9 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.3 C (2.3 F).
Annual mean temperature at Charleston as warming stripes, 1845 to 1892
YearAnnual mean temperatureDifference from the station mean
184518.2 C-0.64 C
184618.5 C-0.34 C
184718.9 C-0.01 C
184819.1 C+0.20 C
184919.2 C+0.30 C
185019.5 C+0.59 C
185119.5 C+0.59 C
185219.3 C+0.41 C
185319.0 C+0.09 C
185419.3 C+0.37 C
185518.8 C-0.09 C
185618.2 C-0.65 C
185718.2 C-0.67 C
185818.9 C+0.05 C
185919.2 C+0.34 C
186018.6 C-0.25 C
186118.1 C-0.75 C
186217.7 C-1.21 C
186318.2 C-0.70 C
187719.1 C+0.19 C
187819.3 C+0.37 C
187919.2 C+0.29 C
188019.4 C+0.51 C
188219.6 C+0.73 C
188319.6 C+0.72 C
188419.5 C+0.58 C
188617.8 C-1.06 C
188718.5 C-0.35 C
188818.8 C-0.06 C
188918.7 C-0.20 C
189019.9 C+1.06 C
189118.9 C+0.01 C
189218.4 C-0.47 C

The fitted trend in annual mean temperature here over 1845 to 1892 is 0.04 C (-0.08 to 0.17) per decade. The interval includes zero, so the trend is not clearly different from zero. In Fahrenheit: 0.1 F (-0.1 to 0.3) per decade. The slope is a straight line fitted to 33 complete years; the brackets give its 95 percent interval.

Fitted temperature trends per decade at Charleston
MeasurePer decade (C)Per decade (F)PeriodComplete yearsReading
Annual mean temperature0.04 C (-0.08 to 0.17) per decade0.1 F (-0.1 to 0.3) per decade1845 to 189233Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily maximum0.12 C (-0.04 to 0.28) per decade0.2 F (-0.1 to 0.5) per decade1845 to 189233Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily minimum-0.03 C (-0.21 to 0.15) per decade-0.1 F (-0.4 to 0.3) per decade1845 to 189233Not clearly different from zero

A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.

Extremes by Year

1845 to 1892
Yearly extremes at Charleston: the record and the median year
MeasureRecordYear of the recordMedian yearYears with a value
Hottest day (TXx)40.0 C (104.0 F)187936.0 C (96.7 F)36
Coldest night (TNn)-11.9 C (10.6 F)1886-4.4 C (24.1 F)36
Wettest day (Rx1day)210.8 mm (8.3 in)187787.1 mm (3.4 in)35
Wettest five days (Rx5day)329.4 mm (13.0 in)1876132.6 mm (5.2 in)35
Longest dry spell (CDD)43 days188622 days35

Hottest day (TXx)

Hottest day (TXx) at Charleston by year The hottest day of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 40.0 C (104.0 F) in 1879, marked on the chart; the median year is 36.0 C (96.7 F). 3032.53537.54018501860187018801890Record: 40.0 C (104.0 F) in 1879
The hottest day of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 40.0 C (104.0 F) in 1879, marked on the chart; the median year is 36.0 C (96.7 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Charleston by year
YearHottest day (TXx)
184535.6 C (96.1 F)
184631.7 C (89.1 F)
184733.3 C (91.9 F)
184832.8 C (91.0 F)
184935.0 C (95.0 F)
185035.0 C (95.0 F)
185136.1 C (97.0 F)
185234.4 C (93.9 F)
185334.4 C (93.9 F)
185436.1 C (97.0 F)
185535.6 C (96.1 F)
185636.7 C (98.1 F)
185734.4 C (93.9 F)
185835.0 C (95.0 F)
185935.0 C (95.0 F)
186037.2 C (99.0 F)
186138.9 C (102.0 F)
186237.8 C (100.0 F)
186336.7 C (98.1 F)
1871n/a
1872n/a
1873n/a
1874n/a
1875n/a
187636.7 C (98.1 F)
187737.8 C (100.0 F)
187836.1 C (97.0 F)
187940.0 C (104.0 F)
188037.8 C (100.0 F)
188135.8 C (96.4 F)
188236.1 C (97.0 F)
188338.3 C (100.9 F)
188435.0 C (95.0 F)
188535.8 C (96.4 F)
188634.4 C (93.9 F)
188737.6 C (99.7 F)
188837.9 C (100.2 F)
188936.1 C (97.0 F)
189036.7 C (98.1 F)
189135.0 C (95.0 F)
189235.0 C (95.0 F)

Coldest night (TNn)

Coldest night (TNn) at Charleston by year The coldest night of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is -11.9 C (10.6 F) in 1886, marked on the chart; the median year is -4.4 C (24.1 F). -15-10-5018501860187018801890Record: -11.9 C (10.6 F) in 1886
The coldest night of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is -11.9 C (10.6 F) in 1886, marked on the chart; the median year is -4.4 C (24.1 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Charleston by year
YearColdest night (TNn)
1845-6.7 C (19.9 F)
1846-1.1 C (30.0 F)
1847-3.9 C (25.0 F)
18480.0 C (32.0 F)
1849-5.6 C (21.9 F)
1850-3.9 C (25.0 F)
1851-6.7 C (19.9 F)
1852-8.9 C (16.0 F)
1853-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1854-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1855-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1856-8.9 C (16.0 F)
1857-11.1 C (12.0 F)
1858-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1859-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1860-5.6 C (21.9 F)
1861-2.8 C (27.0 F)
1862-6.1 C (21.0 F)
1863-6.1 C (21.0 F)
1871n/a
1872n/a
1873n/a
1874n/a
1875n/a
1876-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1877-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1878-3.9 C (25.0 F)
1879-5.0 C (23.0 F)
1880-10.6 C (12.9 F)
1881-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1882-4.4 C (24.1 F)
1883-3.9 C (25.0 F)
1884-10.6 C (12.9 F)
1885-5.6 C (21.9 F)
1886-11.9 C (10.6 F)
1887-8.5 C (16.7 F)
1888-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1889-3.3 C (26.1 F)
1890-3.9 C (25.0 F)
1891-1.7 C (28.9 F)
1892-5.0 C (23.0 F)

Wettest day (Rx1day)

Wettest day (Rx1day) at Charleston by year The wettest day of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 210.8 mm (8.3 in) in 1877, marked on the chart; the median year is 87.1 mm (3.4 in). 05010015020025018501860187018801890Record: 210.8 mm (8.3 in) in 1877
The wettest day of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 210.8 mm (8.3 in) in 1877, marked on the chart; the median year is 87.1 mm (3.4 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Charleston by year
YearWettest day (Rx1day)
1845174.0 mm (6.9 in)
184678.7 mm (3.1 in)
1847116.8 mm (4.6 in)
1848170.2 mm (6.7 in)
1849127.0 mm (5.0 in)
185036.8 mm (1.4 in)
1851114.3 mm (4.5 in)
1852117.3 mm (4.6 in)
1853165.1 mm (6.5 in)
185483.8 mm (3.3 in)
185576.2 mm (3.0 in)
185676.2 mm (3.0 in)
185764.8 mm (2.6 in)
185857.4 mm (2.3 in)
1859106.7 mm (4.2 in)
186081.3 mm (3.2 in)
186186.6 mm (3.4 in)
186267.1 mm (2.6 in)
1863106.7 mm (4.2 in)
187140.6 mm (1.6 in)
187287.1 mm (3.4 in)
187367.6 mm (2.7 in)
187498.8 mm (3.9 in)
187570.6 mm (2.8 in)
1876156.2 mm (6.1 in)
1877210.8 mm (8.3 in)
1878n/a
1879n/a
1880n/a
188162.5 mm (2.5 in)
1882105.9 mm (4.2 in)
1883129.0 mm (5.1 in)
1884138.2 mm (5.4 in)
1885127.0 mm (5.0 in)
188674.9 mm (2.9 in)
188777.5 mm (3.1 in)
188899.6 mm (3.9 in)
188979.8 mm (3.1 in)
1890n/a
1891n/a
1892n/a

Wettest five days (Rx5day)

Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Charleston by year The wettest five days of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 329.4 mm (13.0 in) in 1876, marked on the chart; the median year is 132.6 mm (5.2 in). 010020030040018501860187018801890Record: 329.4 mm (13.0 in) in 1876
The wettest five days of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 329.4 mm (13.0 in) in 1876, marked on the chart; the median year is 132.6 mm (5.2 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Charleston by year
YearWettest five days (Rx5day)
1845184.4 mm (7.3 in)
184687.7 mm (3.5 in)
1847135.8 mm (5.3 in)
1848183.9 mm (7.2 in)
1849128.6 mm (5.1 in)
185068.6 mm (2.7 in)
1851196.8 mm (7.7 in)
1852215.8 mm (8.5 in)
1853186.5 mm (7.3 in)
1854165.0 mm (6.5 in)
1855113.0 mm (4.4 in)
1856132.6 mm (5.2 in)
1857107.9 mm (4.2 in)
1858121.6 mm (4.8 in)
1859222.3 mm (8.8 in)
1860109.0 mm (4.3 in)
1861138.9 mm (5.5 in)
1862110.0 mm (4.3 in)
1863151.9 mm (6.0 in)
187154.6 mm (2.1 in)
1872123.8 mm (4.9 in)
1873124.2 mm (4.9 in)
1874123.2 mm (4.9 in)
1875154.2 mm (6.1 in)
1876329.4 mm (13.0 in)
1877232.6 mm (9.2 in)
1878n/a
1879n/a
1880n/a
1881120.0 mm (4.7 in)
1882134.7 mm (5.3 in)
1883176.7 mm (7.0 in)
1884220.3 mm (8.7 in)
1885215.3 mm (8.5 in)
1886102.9 mm (4.1 in)
1887113.5 mm (4.5 in)
1888120.6 mm (4.7 in)
1889123.5 mm (4.9 in)
1890n/a
1891n/a
1892n/a

Longest dry spell (CDD)

Longest dry spell (CDD) at Charleston by year The longest dry spell of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 43 days in 1886, marked on the chart; the median year is 22 days. 0102030405018501860187018801890Record: 43 days in 1886
The longest dry spell of the year at Charleston, 1845 to 1892. The record is 43 days in 1886, marked on the chart; the median year is 22 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Charleston by year
YearLongest dry spell (CDD)
184531 days
184619 days
184730 days
184821 days
184929 days
185028 days
185134 days
185230 days
185329 days
185436 days
185528 days
185630 days
185719 days
185821 days
185927 days
186021 days
186130 days
186222 days
186320 days
187111 days
187221 days
187313 days
187413 days
187530 days
187624 days
187712 days
1878n/a
1879n/a
1880n/a
188112 days
188228 days
188322 days
188415 days
18859 days
188643 days
188721 days
188813 days
188913 days
1890n/a
1891n/a
1892n/a

Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.

Frost Dates and Growing Season

28 years with a frost

Across 28 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Charleston falls on 19 February and the median first autumn frost on 28 November, which leaves a median of 291 days between them.

Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by -0.6 days per decade at this station.

Frost dates and growing season at Charleston
MeasureMedian, all yearsEarliest periodRecent period (1845 to 1892)Recent against earliestFitted trend
Last spring frost19 Februaryn/a19 Februaryn/a+0.3 days per decade
First autumn frost28 Novembern/a28 Novembern/a-0.3 days per decade
Growing days291 daysn/a291 daysn/a-0.6 days per decade

A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.

Rainfall Return Levels

30 years, 1845 to 1888

A day with at least 94.3 mm (3.7 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 211.9 mm (8.3 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.

Rainfall return levels at Charleston: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once inA day with at leastNote
2 years94.3 mm (3.7 in)
5 years126.2 mm (5.0 in)
10 years147.1 mm (5.8 in)
25 years173.4 mm (6.8 in)
50 years192.8 mm (7.6 in)Longer than the 30 years of record
100 years211.9 mm (8.3 in)Longer than the 30 years of record

The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 30 years of values from 1845 to 1888.

A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.

The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 174.0 mm (6.9 in) in 1845; 170.2 mm (6.7 in) in 1848; 165.1 mm (6.5 in) in 1853.

Download the Data

  • Data for Charleston standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
  • Data for Charleston threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-17 (17 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.

Data as of . Last revised (2025-12-31).