December weather in Charleston can be variable. Average highs for the month are in the low 60s, but can stay in the 40s on the coldest days or alternatively, rise well into the 70s.
Although sunny December days in Charleston can offer beautiful, warm weather ideal for a range of sightseeing activities and outdoor sights, unless you are lucky you can expect to experience cloudy and cooler days too.
Fortunately, Charleston offers a variety of indoor attractions, from historic houses and museums to shopping and dining and more for cold and rainy days, with the added bonus of holiday events during the festive season.
As December’s weather is unpredictable, it is best to consult the forecast immediately before traveling when deciding what to pack. In general, you will probably want to bring layered clothing suitable for a variety of conditions, from warm afternoons to cold evenings, plus an umbrella for rainy days.
See also:
– December festivals and events
– Visiting Charleston in the winter
– 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, August, September, October or November
The daily maximum temperature in Charleston in December averages 62°F (16°C), with the lowest daily highs being around 43-48°F (6-9°C), up to around 77°F (25°C) on the warmest days.
You can usually expect the temperature to exceed 68°F (20°C) on 10-15 days each month, and to remain below 55°F (13°C) on more than a third of days in cooler Decembers, or on only a very few days in warmer ones.
The range of morning temperatures in Charleston in December is broad, from around 35-40°F (2-4°C) on the cooler days up to 60°F (16°C) or more on warmer days. Evening temperatures fall within a similar range, falling to lows that vary from around 25°F (-4°C) to 60°F (16°C) overnight.
Charleston seldom feels humid in December.
Surface water temperature in December at the beaches near Charleston is around 64-68°F (17-21°C), which most people will find too cold for swimming but is still acceptable for some watersports on warmer days.
The average December in Charleston has 5-6 hours of sunshine each day. Rainfall for the month totals an average of 3.1 inches, with rain occurring on an average of 8-9 days.
By December, the weather in Charleston is becoming more variable. There are still a good number of clear or mostly clear, sunny days: between a quarter and a third of days in the average December, frequently occurring in runs of several sunny days at a time.
Mostly overcast days are about as common as sunny ones. Remaining days offer more mixed weather, perhaps with a sunny morning or afternoon and cloudy for the rest of the day, or a partially or mostly cloudy sky with periods of sun.
The average UV index in Charleston in December is 3.
Average wind speeds in Charleston in December are around 10mph, with 2-6 days each month still or mostly still, and 3-6 days on average where wind speeds may reach around 15mph or higher.
In December, the sun rises at around 7:05am at the beginning of the month and at 7:20am at the end of the month. It begins to get light in the morning at 6:40am at the start of the month, and by 6:55am at the end.
The sun sets at around 5:15pm at the start of the month, and at around 5:25pm by its end. It should be dark by around 5:40pm at the beginning of the month, and by 5:50pm at its end.
The amount of full daylight in December averages around 10 hours per day, plus an additional 25 minutes of low light at the beginning and again at the end of the day.