Charleston (SC) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation
This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America. The numbers reflect climate data gathered over a 30-year period, from 1990 to 2020. Let's now guide you through the details for a complete overview.
Charleston has a relatively rainy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1298 mm (51 in) of rainfall annually.
Monthly Precipitation Levels
The average number of days each month with precipitation (> 0.2 mm (0.01 in))
Charleston can be quite wet during August, receiving approximately 185 mm (7.3 in) of precipitation over 17 rainy days.
In contrast January, experiences much drier conditions, with 70 mm (2.8 in) of rainfall, spread across 10 rainy days.
August, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 31°C (88°F). The city receives 257 hours of sunshine in this period. During the driest month January you can expect a temperature of 15°C (59°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Charleston Temperature page.
Daily Historical Precipitation
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Average precipitation in July
Explore Charleston's Historical Precipitation: 1976-2026
Browse day-by-day precipitation records for Charleston spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual rainfall and snowfall recorded on each day.
Annual Rainfall in the United States of America: City Comparison
The map below shows the annual precipitation across the United States of America. You can also select the different months in case you are interested in a specific month.
heavy rainfall
high
moderate
low
almost none
Charleston vs World: Rainfall Compared
Charleston's average annual precipitation is 1298 mm (51 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:
In Barcelona, Spain, the average annual precipitation is 620 mm (24 in), evenly distributed across the year with no extreme wet or dry seasons.
In Seoul, South Korea, the average annual precipitation is 1237 mm (49 in), with most rain falling during the summer monsoon season.
Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, receives 2529 mm (100 in) of annual rainfall, characteristic of its equatorial tropical rainforest climate, with consistent rainfall throughout the year and peak months during March and November.
Precipitation amounts are measured using specific gauges installed at weather stations, collecting both rain and snow and any other type of precipitation. Rainfall is measured directly in millimeters, while that from snow and ice is obtained by melting it. Automated systems often incorporate heaters to make this easier.
Information from these stations is transmitted via Wi-Fi, satellite, GPS, or telephone connections to central monitoring networks. This information is immediately updated and integrated into weather models and forecasts.
Precipitation has a very strong role in determining the local climate and ecosystem:
- Changing Rainfall Patterns: Global warming causes drastic changes in the patterns of rainfall. Some areas have been experiencing increased frequency and intensity of rainfall, while other areas experience longer dry spells or even droughts.
- Local Impacts: Many regions are experiencing heavier rainfall in the winter months and drier, hotter summers. This affects agriculture, water resources, and ecosystems.
- "Ginger" was the longest-lasting Atlantic tropical storm, which spun around the open ocean for 28 days in 1971.
- The world's largest snowflake was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, at 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 20 cm (7.9 inches) thick. The snowflake fell at Fort Keogh, Montana, USA, on 28 January 1887.
- The greatest snowfall recorded was on Mt. Rainier, Washington State, USA—over 31.5 meters (103 feet) fell during the winter of 1972.
For more detailed information about Charleston (SC)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Charleston (SC) Climate page.
