Charleston (WV) Monthly Rainfall & Precipitation

This page shows both the average monthly rainfall and the number of rainy days in Charleston, West Virginia, United States of America. The figures are based on a 30-year period (1990–2020) to provide a reliable average. Let's explore the details to provide you with a complete overview.

Charleston has a relatively rain/snowy climate with high precipitation levels, averaging 1220 mm (48 in) of rain/snowfall 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 July, receiving approximately 161 mm (6.3 in) of precipitation over 15 rainy days.

In contrast November, experiences much drier conditions, with 69 mm (2.7 in) of rainfall, spread across 11 rainy days.

July, the wettest month, has a maximum daytime temperature of 30°C (86°F). During the driest month November you can expect a temperature of 14°C (57°F). For more detailed insights into the city's temperatures, visit our Charleston Temperature page.

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.

Annual

Annual

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Legend

heavy rainfall

high

moderate

low

almost none

Heavy annual rainfall has been defined as more than 1000 mm (39 in) precipitation. High: 600 mm (24 in) to 1000 mm (39 in). Moderate: 250 mm (9.8 in) to 600 mm (24 in). Low: less than 250 mm (9.8 in).

Charleston vs World: Rainfall Compared

Charleston's average annual precipitation is 1220 mm (48 in). Let's compare this to some popular worldwide tourist destinations:

Seville, Spain, experiences 541 mm (21 in) of rainfall annually, with wet winters and dry summers typical of southern Spain.

Meanwhile, Buenos Aires, Argentina, enjoys a humid subtropical climate with 1000 mm (39 in) of annual rainfall, mostly in the summer.

Melbourne, Australia, has 690 mm (27 in) of rainfall annually, spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Mumbai, India, experiences a tropical monsoon climate with 1860 mm (73 in) of annual rainfall, with the majority of precipitation happening during the monsoon season from June to September.

How is Precipitation Measured?

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.

Rainy Seasons: Many parts of the world have well-defined wet seasons where precipitation is distinctly higher. These are normally accompanied by lush vegetation and temperature patterns.

Dry Seasons: In areas where the climate is either desert or Mediterranean, the amount of precipitation is drastically reduced, leading to a shortage of water and arid conditions.

Interesting weather facts

The U.S. has a significant number of thunderstorms every year, with over 14.6 million taking place across the world annually.
Approximately 70% of lightning bolts strike land rather than oceans.
A storm named John was the longest-lasting Pacific tropical storm, continuing for 31 days. As it crossed the dateline twice, it changed status from a hurricane to a typhoon and back to a hurricane.

For more detailed information about Charleston (WV)'s weather, including sunshine hours, humidity levels, and temperature data, visit our Charleston (WV) Climate page.

Current rainfall in Charleston (WV)

10-Day Forecast