The month in detail
What to expect in May
Spring marks the start of the good season in Charleston. Temperatures rise (27°C) and tourists have not yet arrived en masse. Rain risk remains low (25% of days), leaving good room for outdoor activities.
May is the best month of the year in Charleston. Compared to April: +3°C daytime, 6 pts more rainy days.
This month's conditions
What it's like in May
UV index
8 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
17°
Sea
25°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
13.7h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 34
Compare
Is May the right month?
May is actually the best month of the year in Charleston. Good timing.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Charleston
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
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🎟️ Activities & tours · Charleston
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.
Country · United States
🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyUS Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘExpensive · 4/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 31°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 14°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘAugust · 41%
🏖️ Beach holiday
📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore
Other destinations in May
If May doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Similar climate
SavannahUnited StatesNew OrleansUSASaint AugustineUnited StatesOuter BanksUnited States
SuzhouChina
Location
Where is Charleston ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
United StatesTemperate oceanic climate with a 8.6 → 4.4 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
32.78°N · 79.93°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Charleston?
May is the best month with 27.0°C highs, 20.0°C lows, 8.0h of sunshine and 25.0% rainy days. The months of May & April offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Charleston get in May?
Charleston averages 8.0 sunshine hours per day in May. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.0/10.
What is the rainiest month in Charleston?
January is the most unfavourable month with January has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Charleston in May?
In May, overnight lows reach 20.0°C, while afternoon highs average 27.0°C.
Is Charleston good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Charleston scores 6.1/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains May with a score of 8.0/10.
When should you avoid Charleston?
January is the most difficult month to visit Charleston, with January has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Charleston in May?
In May, the sea averages 25°C in Charleston: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Charleston in May?
The average UV index reaches 8 in May in Charleston (high), with about 13.7h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.