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Charleston Convention Visitors Bureau
423 King Street
Charleston, South Carolina 29403
(843) 853-8000
www.charlestoncvb.com
When to Go to Charleston
There's really not a bad time to visit the Carolinas, but spring is undoubtedly the most attractive season. Throughout the region, the blooming of cherry blossoms is followed by a profusion of azaleas, dogwoods, and camellias in April and apple blossoms in May. Art shows, craft fairs, and music festivals tend to take place in summer, making it a great time to check out the local culture. State and local fairs are held mainly in August and September, although there are a few as early as July and as late as October. Fall can bring spectacular foliage, particularly in the mountains. Don't be surprised if you find yourself sharing the road with a caravan of leaf-peepers. The other spectator sport that draws people to the region every fall is college football. Winter is generally mild, which is why so many "snowbirds" migrate south for the season.
Climate
Spring and fall temperatures are delightful during the day, and at night you usually don't need anything more than a light jacket. Summer can be hot and humid in many parts of the region, but a bit more temperate along the coast and in the mountains. Expect high 70s to the mid-80s and now and then the low 90s. In winter, long periods of mild weather are punctuated by brief bouts of frigid conditions. Temperatures generally average in the low 40s inland and in the 60s by the shore. Thunderstorms are common in spring and summer, but these afternoon downpours generally don't last long. Many locals don't even bother to bring along an umbrella, preferring to wait out the weather. The official hurricane season runs from May to November. Storms occasionally strike the region, either directly from the Atlantic Ocean or moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico.
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