Charlotte, NC Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Charlotte
Charlotte runs on a dry-summer rhythm: the warmest months are also the driest. June averages 3.0 inches (76 mm) while the wet season peaks in September at 4.9 inches (124 mm). Highs range from 51°F (10°C) to 90°F (32°C).
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 90°F (32°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 51°F (10°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 103°F (40°C) high · 5°F (-15°C) low
- Wettest month: September (9 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (11.7 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid subtropical
- Annual swing: 22°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 10°C
- Snow: about 2 days a year
- Months averaging 30°C or hotter: 3
- Average humidity: 70%
Temperatures through the year
Average highs hold at or above 30°C for 3 months of the year, June through August being the unbroken run. At its warmest, in July, Charlotte runs to 90°F (32°C) in the afternoon and back to 72°F (22°C) by dawn. January sits at the other end of the year: 51°F (10°C) by day, 34°F (1°C) at night. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 103°F (40°C) and bottoms at 5°F (-15°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Sunshine averages 9.1 hours a day over the year, peaking in June at 11.7 hours.
Rain, sun and snow
Snow falls on roughly 2 days a year, mostly December through February. Days and nights are about 10°C apart on average - wider than roughly 76% of the cities we track. Precipitation concentrates in September - 4.9 inches (124 mm) on 9 days - and thins out by June.
How Charlotte compares
- 28% of the year's precipitation falls in its wettest three months - more evenly spread than almost every other city we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Daylight | Wet-day chance | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51° | 34° | 10 | 4.3 in | 6.6 h/day | 10.0 h | 34% | 71% |
| February | 56° | 38° | 10 | 3.7 in | 7.1 h/day | 10.9 h | 36% | 70% |
| March | 63° | 43° | 10 | 3.7 in | 8.1 h/day | 11.9 h | 34% | 66% |
| April | 72° | 51° | 8 | 3.8 in | 10.0 h/day | 13.0 h | 27% | 62% |
| May | 80° | 60° | 11 | 3.6 in | 10.7 h/day | 14.0 h | 36% | 66% |
| June | 87° | 67° | 12 | 3.0 in | 11.7 h/day | 14.5 h | 39% | 66% |
| July | 90° | 72° | 13 | 3.3 in | 11.7 h/day | 14.3 h | 42% | 70% |
| August | 87° | 70° | 15 | 4.4 in | 11.0 h/day | 13.5 h | 48% | 73% |
| September | 82° | 65° | 9 | 4.9 in | 9.7 h/day | 12.3 h | 31% | 73% |
| October | 72° | 54° | 7 | 3.4 in | 8.7 h/day | 11.2 h | 22% | 73% |
| November | 62° | 43° | 8 | 3.5 in | 7.6 h/day | 10.3 h | 26% | 70% |
| December | 54° | 38° | 9 | 4.8 in | 6.3 h/day | 9.8 h | 30% | 74% |
Charlotte month by month
Average high and low for each month, with the bar showing where it sits in Charlotte's year (left is the coldest night, right is the warmest afternoon).
January
- Rain
- 10 days
- Sunshine
- 6.6 h
- Daylight
- 10.0 h
February
- Rain
- 10 days
- Sunshine
- 7.1 h
- Daylight
- 10.9 h
March
- Rain
- 10 days
- Sunshine
- 8.1 h
- Daylight
- 11.9 h
April
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 10.0 h
- Daylight
- 13.0 h
May
- Rain
- 11 days
- Sunshine
- 10.7 h
- Daylight
- 14.0 h
June
- Rain
- 12 days
- Sunshine
- 11.7 h
- Daylight
- 14.5 h
July
- Rain
- 13 days
- Sunshine
- 11.7 h
- Daylight
- 14.3 h
August
- Rain
- 15 days
- Sunshine
- 11.0 h
- Daylight
- 13.5 h
September
- Rain
- 9 days
- Sunshine
- 9.7 h
- Daylight
- 12.3 h
October
- Rain
- 7 days
- Sunshine
- 8.7 h
- Daylight
- 11.2 h
November
- Rain
- 8 days
- Sunshine
- 7.6 h
- Daylight
- 10.3 h
December
- Rain
- 9 days
- Sunshine
- 6.3 h
- Daylight
- 9.8 h
Warmer places to go, by month: January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Seasons in Charlotte
Spring (March through May)
Spring in Charlotte brings comfortable warmth, with daytime highs averaging 72°F (22°C) and nights around 51°F (11°C); expect showers on roughly 30 days across the season.
Summer (June through August)
Summer in Charlotte is hot, with daytime highs averaging 88°F (31°C) and nights around 70°F (21°C); rain falls on around 40 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.5 hours of sun a day. With the moisture factored in, afternoons feel hotter than the reading suggests - the humidity and dew point converter shows why.
Fall (September through November)
Through fall, Charlotte is mild and warm: 72°F (22°C) by day, 54°F (12°C) after dark, and expect showers on roughly 24 days across the season.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Charlotte is crisp but comfortable, with daytime highs averaging 54°F (12°C) and nights around 37°F (3°C); rain falls on around 30 of the 90 days.
Climate questions, answered
How much sun does Charlotte get?
What should I wear in Charlotte?
Is Charlotte cold in winter?
Is Charlotte humid?
Best time to visit Charlotte
The best time to visit Charlotte is generally March to May and September to November, when the dry season is running but the afternoons are still bearable. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 72°F (22°C), with rain on about 9 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in March.
Pack for Charlotte with lightweight, breathable clothing and serious sun protection, a warm jacket and layers for the cooler season and a compact umbrella or rain shell. July nights average 72°F (22°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Charlotte temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ. Need the precipitation in other units? The mm-to-inches rainfall converter handles it.