Weather & Climate

Just as Charlotte's location offers residents the benefits of both the mountains and the ocean, it also offers the best of all worlds in weather. This makes the city's weather one of its strongest assets, attracting visitors and new residents alike. The year is filled with days which invite you outside to enjoy the clear blue sky and bright sun; the perfect backdrop to Charlotte's beautifully landscaped neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks and lakes.

The area's climate can best be described as moderate, pleasant and sunny. Forget about the winter blues of our northern neighbors or the stifling summer heat of our southern friends. In Charlotte, the weather entices you outside all year round.

Friendly Winters

Charlotte's winter offers you a taste of the old man, without all the shoveling, swerving and salt. Only half of the winter days fall below freezing, and below zero (-18° C.) temperatures have only occurred five times since 1878.

Snow is infrequent, with an average annual accumulation of less than six inches (5.4), but Charlotte is only two hours away from excellent snow skiing in the North Carolina mountains. Residents can enjoy the snow, without having to endure it.

Favorable Summers

The summer months lure Charlotteans outside. The bright sun and clear skies, dappled with pure white clouds, fill the summer days. Unlike cities to the south, though, very hot weather conditions (90° F, 32° C) occur only 39 days in Charlotte compared to 82 days in Jacksonville, Florida and 99 days in Houston. On the average, temperatures reach 100°F (38°C) only twice a year. And with an average summer temperature of 76°F (24° C) with an average daily range of 19 degrees, these inviting days are punctuated by cool nights under starry skies.

Fantastic Springs and Autumns

The transformations of the seasons in Charlotte are the most breathtaking times of the year. The slow emergence of spring, from mid-March through May, provides residents with a visual extravaganza. The Carolina blue skies accentuate the pinks, reds, yellows, purples and soft whites of the spring blooms which fill the city. Those same skies, crisp and clear, provide the setting for the brilliant array of colors which paint the trees during a fall which extends well into November.

Both seasons are appreciably long, providing a slow, enjoyable gateway into summer or winter. The average frost free season lasts 216 days from mid-March to mid-November. October and November welcome the cool temperatures which invite people outside to enjoy those brilliant fall colors which rival those of New England, but are unknown in the deep south.

Balanced Rainfall

Once again the Charlotte climate offers the best of both worlds.  The necessary rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year with an average annual precipitation of 43 inches (107.5 cm).  By comparison, Miami has 56 inches (140 cm) and Denver 15 inches (37.5 cm).  The summer months host the heaviest rainfall; March is the wettest month, with 4.4 inches (11 cm); November is the driest month, with 2.7 inches (6.8 cm) of precipitation.

These refreshing rains are well balanced.  Only occasionally will Charlotte have dry spells, which last one to three weeks.  Droughts are rare and Charlotte has never had a major flood.

Normal Temperatures, Highs, Lows, and Precipitation
City	January Max F	January Min F	July Max F	July Min F	Annual Precip. Inches
Atlanta	50	32	88	70	50.8
Baltimore	40	23	87	67	40.8
Boston	36	22	82	65	41.5
Charlotte	49	30	89	70	43.1
Chicago	29	13	84	63	35.8
Cincinnati	37	20	86	65	41.3
Cleveland	32	18	82	61	36.6
Denver	43	16	88	59	15.4
Detroit	30	16	83	61	32.6
Houston	61	40	93	72	46.1
Indianapolis	34	18	86	65	39.9
Kansas City	35	17	89	68	37.6
Los Angeles	66	48	75	63	12.0
Memphis	49	31	92	73	52.1
Miami	75	59	89	76	55.9
Milwaukee	26	12	80	62	32.9
Minneapolis	21	3	84	63	28.3
New Orleans	61	42	91	73	61.9
New York	38	25	85	68	47.3
Philadelphia	38	23	86	67	41.4
Phoenix	66	41	106	81	7.7
Portland	45	34	80	57	36.3
St. Louis	38	21	89	70	37.5
San Francisco	56	42	72	54	19.7
Seattle	45	35	75	55	37.2
Washington	42	27	89	71	38.6

Source: US Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Climatography of the United States - 30 year average for 1960-1990

Relative Humidity

Relatively speaking, Charlotte is not the sultry South many think it to be.  The city's normal summer humidity is 74%, compared to 80% in the central interior of the United States, 77% in Jacksonville, Florida, and 76% in Houston, Texas.  Yearly morning humidity averages 83%, noon humidity 54% and evening humidity 61%

Absence of Severe Weather

Severe weather, such as hurricanes and tornadoes, is a rarity in Charlotte.  The city is located outside principal tornado zones and the typical path of hurricanes along the east coast is such that storm centers are usually at sea by the time storms reach this latitude.  The few storms that pass close to the North Carolina coast have little adverse effect on Charlotte
 

Related Links

 

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
330 S. Tryon St., PO Box 32785
Charlotte, NC 28232
(704) 378-1300