December weather forecast
Charleston, SC

Share
Trees along both sides of a street in Charleston, South Carolina
Trees along both sides of a street in Charleston, South Carolina

Weather in December

In December, Charleston residents brace for the winter chill. The change to colder weather is noticeable as daylight hours dwindle and twilight arrives earlier each day. A significant weather event in December is the increased precipitations at 4.25" (108mm), cutting through the generally dry spell of preceding months. Despite a few gloomy days, Charleston still manages to retain some of its southern warmth during the last month of the year.

Temperature

The average high-temperature in Charleston during December is a still comfortable 60.8°F (16°C), almost matching the conditions of the preceding month. Throughout December, an average nighttime temperature of 49.3°F (9.6°C) is experienced.

Humidity

December is the most humid month, with an average relative humidity of 78%.

Rainfall

In Charleston, in December, it is raining for 11.1 days, with typically 4.25" (108mm) of accumulated precipitation. In Charleston, during the entire year, the rain falls for 178.9 days and collects up to 41.93" (1065mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

January and December are months with snowfall in Charleston, South Carolina. December is the first month it typically snows in Charleston. Throughout December, in the average 0.1 snowfall days, it receives 0.04" (1mm) of snow. Throughout the year, there are 0.6 snowfall days, and 0.16" (4mm) of snow is accumulated.

Ocean temperature

In Charleston, in December, the average water temperature is 66.2°F (19°C).
Note: The enjoyment of swimming decreases for most when the surface water temperature is 66.2°F (19°C). Breathing control becomes increasingly challenging as temperatures descend below 69.8°F (21°C).

Daylight

With an average of 10h and 0min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year in Charleston.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:04 am and sunset at 5:13 pm. On the last day of December, in Charleston, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:24 pm EST.

Sunshine

December has the least sunshine of the year, with an average of 5.7h of sunshine.

UV index

In Charleston, South Carolina, the average daily maximum UV index in December is 4. A UV Index value of 3 to 5 symbolizes a moderate health risk from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for the average person.
Note: A maximum daily UV index of 4 during December morphs into the following directions:
Guard yourself - Precautionary measures against sun damage are advocated. For skin protection, it's recommended to minimize Sun exposure during its peak hours around midday. Employ a hat with a wide brim for robust protection, cutting UV exposure by half. Be alert to the fact! The reflection from snow can nearly double the UV radiation of the Sun.
Updated: Feb 13, 2024
Published by: Weather U.S. | About Us
Data Sources | Weather Forecasting & Climate

Frequently asked questions

What is the usual temperature for Charleston in December?

In December, in Charleston, the average high-temperature is 60.8°F (16°C), and the average low-temperature is 49.3°F (9.6°C). In September, the average heat index (a.k.a. 'real feel', 'apparent temperature'), which combines relative humidity and air temperature, is calculated to be 91.4°F (33°C).

What is the most humid month in Charleston?

With an average relative humidity of 78%, December is the most humid month in Charleston, South Carolina.

What is the average humidity in December in Charleston?

In Charleston, South Carolina, the average relative humidity in December is 78%.

How many days does it rain in December in Charleston?

In Charleston, South Carolina, during December, the rain falls for 11.1 days and regularly aggregates up to 4.25" (108mm) of precipitation.

When does it start snowing in Charleston?

December is the first month it typically snows in Charleston. Throughout December, in the average 0.1 snowfall days, it receives 0.04" (1mm) of snow.

What is the ocean temperature in December in Charleston?

In Charleston, in December, the average water temperature is 66.2°F (19°C). For most, swimming in 66.2°F (19°C) is not an enjoyable activity. Furthermore, controlling your breathing becomes progressively more difficult as the water temperature decreases from 69.8°F (21°C) to 59°F (15°C).

What is the month with the shortest days in Charleston?

With an average of 10h and 0min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year.

How many hours of daylight does Charleston have in December?

In December, the average day length in Charleston is 10h and 2min.

What time are sunrise and sunset in December in Charleston?

On the first day of December in Charleston, South Carolina, sunrise is at 7:04 am and sunset at 5:13 pm. On the last day of the month, sunrise is at 7:21 am and sunset at 5:24 pm EST.

What is the month with the least sunshine in Charleston?

December has the least sunshine of the year in Charleston, South Carolina, with an average of 5.7h of sunshine.

How many hours of sunshine does Charleston have in December?

In December, the average sunshine duration in Charleston, South Carolina, is 5.7h.

How high is the UV index in December in Charleston?

In Charleston, the average daily maximum UV index in December is 4. A UV Index estimate of 3 to 5 represents a medium hazard to health from unsafe exposure to Sun's UV rays.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in December
Charleston, SC

Average temperature in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average high temperature in December: 60.8°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (88.2°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is January (57°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 49.3°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (77.4°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is January (44.4°F).

Average pressure in December
Charleston, SC

Average pressure in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average pressure in December: 30.13"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.14"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.98"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
Charleston, SC

Average wind speed in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average wind speed in December: 8.7mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is April (9.4mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (7.5mph).

Average humidity in December
Charleston, SC

Average humidity in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average humidity in December: 78%

The month with the highest relative humidity is December (78%).
The months with the lowest relative humidity are January and March (73%).

Average rainfall in December
Charleston, SC

Average rainfall in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average rainfall in December: 4.25"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is August (7.13").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is January (1.42").

Average rainfall days in December
Charleston, SC

Average rainfall days in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average rainfall days in December: 11.1 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is August (24.8 days).
The month with the least rainy days is November (8.7 days).

Average snowfall in December
Charleston, SC

Average snowfall in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average snowfall in December: 0.04"

The month with the highest snowfall is January (0.12").
The months with the least snowfall are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0").

Average snowfall days in December
Charleston, SC

Average snowfall days in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average snowfall days in December: 0.1 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is January (0.4 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (0 days).

Average sea temperature in December
Charleston, SC

Average sea temperature in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average sea temperature in December: 66.3°F

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (83.5°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average sea temperature) is February (61.9°F).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Charleston, SC

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average daylight in December: 10h and 0min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 18min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 10h and 0min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 5h and 4min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 11h and 0min).
The month with the least sunshine is December (Average sunshine: 5h and 42min).

Average sunshine days in December
Charleston, SC

Average sunshine days in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average sunshine days in December: 17.8 days

The month with the most sunshine days is January (19.3 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is August (3.8 days).

Average UV index in December
Charleston, SC

Average UV index in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average UV index in December: 4

The months with the highest UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index 7).
The month with the lowest UV index is January (UV index 3).

Average cloud cover in December
Charleston, SC

Average cloud cover in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average cloud cover in December: 39

The months with the most cloud cover are February and December (Cloud cover 39).
The months with the least cloud cover are June and July (Cloud cover 26).

Average visibility in December
Charleston, SC

Average visibility in December - Charleston, SC
  • Average visibility in December: 6mi

The months with the highest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (6mi).

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Weather forecast for your location

1. Click Locate me button
2. Allow the app to use your location