Climate in Charlotte (North Carolina)

The climate of Charlotte, the most populous city in North Carolina, is temperate, with relatively cold winters and hot, muggy summers, during which there are quite frequent thunderstorms.
The city is located in the southeastern United States, near the border with South Carolina, at 220 meters (720 feet) above sea level. We are in the so-called "Piedmont", a low plateau east of the Appalachian mountains.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.7 °C (80 °F).
Precipitation amounts to 1,105 millimeters (43.6 inches) per year.



The winter, from December to February, is quite cold, however, different situations arise. There are mild periods, in which subtropical air masses prevail, and the temperature can even exceed 20 °C (68 °F).
On the other hand, there can be cold waves, during which the temperature can drop to -11/-12 °C (10/12 °F) or even below.
The record is -24 °C (-11 °F), recorded in January 1985.
Snow occurs every year or so, even though you have to wait a few years to see a heavy snowfall. On average, 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) of snow fall per year. The most abundant snowfall in one day was 30 cm (12 in), in January 1988.
Sometimes the dangerous phenomenon of freezing rain can also occur.

The summer, from June to August, is hot and muggy, with an often unpleasant combination of temperature and humidity. The sun shines quite often, although cloud coverings can form, which can produce thunderstorms.
On the hottest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 37/38 °C (99/100 °F). The record is 40 °C (104 °F), recorded in August 2007, at the end of June and at the beginning of July 2012.

Occasionally, between late summer and early autumn, Charlotte can be affected by hurricanes or their remnants. Hurricane season runs from June to November, although the period in which they are most likely is from August to October. The city is far enough away from the coast, so in general it is not hit by hurricanes at their maximum strength, even though, in September 1989, Hurricane Hugo was able to cause damage also in this area.

In spring and autumn, from March to May and from September to November, the weather is variable. The rains are quite frequent, although there can be rainless periods of a week. In March and November, there can be cold air outbreaks, while in April and October they are rare. In May and September, there can be hot periods, with summer-like temperatures.
In spring, and more rarely in autumn, tornadoes can form.

On average, there are around 2,820 sunshine hours per year. Therefore, the sun often shines. Even in the least sunny months, December and January, the sun shines 55% of the time.

Best Time

The best periods to visit Charlotte are spring and autumn, to avoid both the winter cold and the summer heat, and in particular, the months of April and October.
In autumn (usually, around late October), you can admire the beautiful colors of the trees losing their leaves (the phenomenon called fall foliage).

Charlotte - Climate data

In Charlotte, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 5.6 °C (42.1 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1105 millimeters (43.5 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 80 mm (3.1 in) in the driest months (February, October) to 110 mm (4.3 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2825 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Charlotte - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.6 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C (15 °F). However, it dropped to -15 °C (5 °F) in January 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in February 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in March 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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April is generally a very mild month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in April 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in April 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 69% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 14.4 °C (58 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 24.8 °C (77 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 30.5 °C (86.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.2 °C (45 °F) in June 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in June 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 26.7 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 21.1 °C (69.9 °F) and a maximum of 32.4 °C (90.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in July 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.9 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) and a maximum of 31.4 °C (88.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35.5 °C (96 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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September is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17 °C (62.6 °F) and a maximum of 28.2 °C (82.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in September 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92 °F). However, it reached 36.7 °C (98.1 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) and a maximum of 22.9 °C (73.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -3.3 °C (26.1 °F) in October 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in October 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 4.3 °C (39.8 °F) and a maximum of 17.2 °C (62.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) in November 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in November 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) and a maximum of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in December 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).