August weather in Charleston is hot and humid. The average daily high is in the upper 80s, with temperatures in the upper 90s common on the hotter days. A few slightly cooler days are possible this month, with highs in the lower 80s.
August is generally sunny, with a mix of cloudy periods and frequent summer afternoon rain showers and thunderstorms. For cooling breezes, head to the local beaches, where the water is at a perfect temperature for swimming and watersports.
Pack clothes suitable for hot and humid weather, choosing lighter fabrics, paler colors and loose-fitting items to mitigate the worst of the heat. You are unlikely to need much in the way of outerwear.
High factor sun screen is a necessity for all during Charleston’s summers. Insect repellent is strongly advised if you will be out in nature, and an umbrella nearly always comes in useful too.
August is hurricane season in Charleston. You may prefer to take out insurance to cover the risk of disruption to your travel plans. In the event of dangerous weather during your visit, follow all local advice and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
See also:
– August festivals and events
– Visiting Charleston in the summer
– When is the best time of year to visit Charleston?
– Things to do during your visit to Charleston
– Charleston's weather by month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, September, October, November or December
The daily maximum temperature in Charleston in August averages 89°F (32°C), with the lowest daily highs being around 75-82°F (24-28°C), up to around 97°F (36°C) on the hottest days.
In a typical year, you can expect the temperature to exceed 90°F (32°C) on half to two thirds of days this month, and to stay below 85°F (30°C) on 1-2 days during hotter Augusts and around 6-7 days otherwise.
In the morning, temperatures are around 70-80°F (21-27°C), sometimes as high as 90°F (32°C) by mid-morning on the hottest days. Evening temperatures are usually in the range of 75-85°F (24-30°C). Nights too stay warm, with overnight lows in August at around 70-80°F (21-27°C).
The weather is oppressively humid through most of August, both during the day and the night.
Surface water temperature in August at the beaches near Charleston is around 82-85°F (27-30°C), perfect for watersports and swimming.
The average August in Charleston has 8 or so hours of sunshine each day. Rainfall for the month totals an average of 7.2 inches, with rain occurring on an average of 13 days.
August is usually a fairly sunny month in Charleston, with most days offering either sun all day or a mix of sunny and cloudy periods, sometimes with rainstorms. Generally, very few days each month are predominantly cloudy or overcast.
The average UV index in Charleston in August is 10.
Wind speeds in Charleston in August average about 8mph, with 1 or 2 days each month with no or only a very light breeze, and 3-4 days on average where wind speeds may reach around 15mph or higher.
In August, the sun rises at around 6:35am at the beginning of the month and at 6:55am at the end of the month. It begins to get light in the morning at 6:05am at the start of the month, and by 6:30am at the end.
The sun sets at around 8:20pm at the start of the month, and at around 7:45pm by its end. It should be dark by around 8:45pm at the beginning of the month, and by 8:10pm at its end.
The amount of full daylight in August averages around 13 hours and 20 minutes per day, plus an additional 25-30 minutes of low light at the beginning and end of the day.