Charlotte is the largest city in North Carolina. Those moving to Charlotte will enjoy beautiful weather year round. A diverse population of nearly 800,000 people live and work here. You’ll find more than 10 Fortune 1000 companies in Charlotte, including Bank of America, Lowe’s, and Wachovia Corp. For sports fans, Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers of the NFL, the Charlotte Hornets of the NBA, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Charlotte is a mix of natural beauty and metropolitan flair. So, what’s the weather like in Charlotte? Charlotte has a humid subtropical climate.
Many people confuse the terms weather and climate, or think that they are interchangeable. Even though they are related, they each have a different meaning. Climate refers to weather conditions over long periods of time, while weather describes the atmospheric conditions on a day-to-day basis. It’s important to find out about the weather and climate when moving to a new area so you’ll know what to expect.
Charlotte Seasons
Although extreme weather has been known to occur in Charlotte, typically it’s mild for most of the year. This is due to Charlotte’s location over 100 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and only 30 miles from the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. This combination creates unique climates and weather patterns in Charlotte. The average high temperature in Charlotte is 71 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average low temperature is 49. It rains an average of four inches per month year-round. Here’s what kind of weather you should expect from season to season in Charlotte:
Winter in Charlotte
Winter runs from the end of November to the end of February in Charlotte. The weather is mostly mild, with highs in the mid 50s and lows in the low 30s. Occasionally, you will experience some colder winter weather where the lows can dip into the teens, so be sure to have a coat in your closet. It rarely snows in the winter. Charlotte only accumulates an average of fewer than 6 inches per year.
Spring in Charlotte
Springtime in Charlotte is a breathtaking time of the year. White, pink, and yellow flowers bloom in the city among the lush new greenery and clear, blue skies. Spring in Charlotte is March through May. March brings the most rainfall, averaging 4.4 inches, and temperatures rise steadily throughout May. The highs are in the low 70s and the lows in the high 40s.
Summer in Charlotte
Summer in Charlotte is full of clear skies and warm weather. The summer season runs from June through August and is perfect for the outdoor activities and events Charlotte has to offer. The weather can get extremely muggy and the heat index soars as high as 107 degrees in July when the humidity and temperatures are at their peaks. Be sure to wear UV protection in the summer as the sun is bright and the UV index is high. The high temperatures in summer are in the high 80s, while the lows are in the high 60s.
Autumn in Charlotte
Autumn in Charlotte is colorful as the leaves are changing in the dense tree canopy around the city. Mild temperatures range from the low 70s to the low 50s from September through November, making it a beautiful time of year to be outdoors. Rainfall stays constant in autumn, averaging about 3.3 inches.
Monthly Weather in Charlotte
Curious about what the weather is like in Charlotte from month to month? Read on and let’s find out!
January
January is the coldest month in Charlotte, and the weather is chilly. The average low is 33.3°F, and the average high is 48.7°F. It rains about 8.7 days, with typically 1.46″ of accumulated precipitation. It snows about 1 day in January and only accumulates 0.59″.
February
In the last month of the Charlotte winter, the chilly weather continues. The temperature ranges between 36.5°F and 53.6°F. The rain falls for 9.6 days on average with 1.34″ of accumulation. February sees about 1.7 days of snowfall, with an accumulation of about 0.67″.
March
The temperature gets milder in March as spring emerges. The average temperatures varies between 42.6°F and 60.4°F. It rains in March for about 12.3 days, accumulating 1.54″ of precipitation. March is the last month the Charlotte climate typically sees snow. In 0.6 snowfall days, about 0.12″ of snow accumulates. The average length of the day in Charlotte reaches 12 hours in March, giving you plenty of daylight to enjoy the spring.
April
In April, the weather is pleasant, with the average temperature varying between 51.8°F and 71.2°F. It pours on average for 13.1 days in April, with typical accumulated precipitation of 2.01″, so be sure to have a raincoat and umbrella.
May
May is the last month of the spring in Charlotte, and the weather is warm. The average temperature fluctuates between 59.9°F and 79.3°F. It rains for about 15.7 days in May, and 1.81″ of precipitation typically accumulates. The UV index is 6. A UV index of 6 to 7 signifies a high health hazard for most people. You should take precautions against overexposure, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM.
June
The first month of the summer in Charlotte is a tropical month, with the average temperature ranging from 66.7°F to 87.4°F. The average June heat index is a blistering 98.8°F. To avoid heat cramps and heat exhaustion, avoid long periods of outdoor activities in direct sunlight in June. Rainfall collects up to 20.47” in June, with about 14.4 rainy days. The average daily maximum UV index is 6.
July
The heat continues in July, the hottest month of the year in Charlotte. The average temperature is between 90.7°F and 70.3°F. The average heat index in July is a scorching 107.2°F, so avoid sustained outdoor activity in the heat of the day to guard against heat cramps and heat exhaustion. It rains on average 16.9 days in July, with a typical accumulation of 2.01”. The UV index hits 7 in July, so you’ll need your sunscreen.
August
August, the last month of the summer, is another tropical summer month. The average temperature ranges from 88.7°F to 68.7°F. The average heat index is still quite high in August, estimated at 102.7°F, meaning you’ll want to take necessary precautions as in June and July. August sees 16.9 days of rainfall on average and accumulates 2.6″ of precipitation. The UV index is still high at 6.
September
In the first month of autumn, Charlotte is moderately hot. The average high is 82.9°F, and the average low is 63.7°F. This is when it’s time to visit all the Charlotte parks! The average heat index drops to a more manageable 88.9°F in September, but precaution is still needed with prolonged sun exposure and outdoor activity. It rains 11.8 days in September, with typically 1.5″ of accumulated precipitation. The average daily maximum UV index falls to 5, out of the high range.
October
The weather is pleasant in October as temperatures drop to an average high of 71.4°F and an average low of 52.7°F. October sees the least rainfall in Charlotte at about 8.8 days and 1.3″ of accumulated precipitation.
November
November closes out autumn in Charlotte, and the temperatures are moderate. The highs and lows fluctuate between 59.4°F and 42.1°F. Rain falls for 7.8 days throughout November, and 1.38″ of precipitation is accumulated. Although winter is right around the corner, the average length of the day in November is 10.3 hours.
December
December is the first month of the winter, and the weather is cool to cold. Average temperatures vary between 52.9°F and 38.3°F. December averages 9.8 rainy days and 1.73″ of precipitation is accumulated. Charlotte gets most of its snowfall in December. It snows for 0.5 days and accumulates 0.79″ of snow.
Annual Climate Statistics for Charlotte
- Rainy days in Charlotte: 104.9 days per year
- Annual rainfall in Charlotte: 43.1” of precipitation annually
- Snowy days in Charlotte: 1.1 days a year
- Annual snowfall in Charlotte: 2.3” per year
Charlotte Weather Hazards
Fortunately, Charlotte is strategically located to avoid major disasters. Its suburbs are surrounded by water and act as good weather regulators. The downside is Charlotte can experience flooding. Charlotte occasionally gets hit with tropical storms and hurricanes, which can lead to flooding. The tornado risk in Charlotte is also higher than the national average.
Charlotte Weather Extremes
- Coldest month: January is the coldest month in Charlotte, with average highs of 48.74°F, and average lows of 33.3°F
- Warmest month: The hottest month in Charlotte is July, with average highs temperature of 90.7°F
- Rainiest month: March is the rainiest month in Charlotte, with 4.39” of rain falling over 12.3 rainy days
- Snowiest month: December is Charlotte’s snowiest month when the city receives 0.79” of snow over 0.5 days
- Driest month: April is the driest month in Charlotte, with 2.01” of rain falling over 13.1 rainy days
- Charlotte record high temperature: 104°F
- Charlotte record low temperature: -5°F
Best time to visit Charlotte
The best times to visit Charlotte are in spring, March through May, or in autumn, September through November. In spring, the flowers are in full bloom, the weather is great, and you can take advantage of many recreational activities, like swimming and going to the park. In autumn, the temperature is mild and the leaves change to brilliant shades of red and yellow.
If you’re looking into Charlotte’s climate because you’re moving here, you’ll want to make sure you’re working with the best professional moving company in Charlotte! Make a Move Moving is here to give you the best service in North Carolina. Call us today at 704-378-8588 to get your free quote!
