The climate of Folly Beach
Folly Beach,
South Carolina, USA, sits in the Köppen climate classification Cfa zone, identified by its humid subtropical climate with no dry season. Nestled along the eastern coast, Folly Beach experiences climatic characteristics typical of southeastern regions of the United States.
Throughout the year, Folly Beach's climate exhibits dynamic shifts in temperatures. The average high fluctuates from 57°F (13.9°C) in
January and
February to 86.2°F (30.1°C) in
July. Likewise, the average low temperatures vary from 46.4°F (8°C) in January to 78.4°F (25.8°C) between July and
August. Relative humidity values largely remain consistent year-round, averaging between 73% to 78%.
Precipitation, on the other hand, witnesses a more pronounced variation throughout the year. The least monthly rainfall occurs in January at 0.24" (6mm), while August sees the maximum rainfall at 1.93" (49mm). The average number of rainfall days also peaks in August, at 17.3 days, before gradually reducing towards the end of the year.
The intensity of sunshine varies with the peak daily hours of sunlight extending from an average of 5.8 hours in January to 11 hours in July. The annual UV index varies from 3 in the winter months rising to 7 in the summer.
The Best Time to Visit Folly Beach
The best time for a visit to
Folly Beach depends largely on the weather preferences of the visitor. For beach enthusiasts who enjoy basking in the sun, the summer months between
June and
August offer the perfect conditions. Temperatures surge to 84.2°F (29°C) to 86.2°F (30.1°C) during these months, and the beach water is delightfully warm, ranging from 79.3°F (26.3°C) to 83.5°F (28.6°C). The number of sunshine hours also peaks during these months, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
The Worst Time to Visit Folly Beach
If extreme heat and heavy rainfall are a deterrent, then the period between
July and
August may not be the ideal time to visit
Folly Beach. August records the highest rainfall at 1.93" (49mm) spread across 17.3 days, coupled with high temperatures that stay at 86°F (30°C). Moreover, the humidity level peaks to 77% during this period making it further uncomfortable.
Spring Weather in Folly Beach
Spring in
Folly Beach begins to warm, starting with an average high of 64.4°F (18°C) in
March and rising to 78.1°F (25.6°C) in
May. Simultaneously, average lows increase from 54.1°F (12.3°C) to 69.3°F (20.7°C). Rainfall averages from 0.39" (10mm) to 0.47" (12mm), spanning across 6.9 to 9.9 days. The daylight hours extend from 12 hours in March to 13.8 hours in May.
Summer Weather in Folly Beach
Summer welcomes an escalation in temperature with an average high ranging from 84.2°F (29°C) in
June to 86.2°F (30.1°C) in
July and 86°F (30°C) in
August. The average low hovers between 75.9°F (24.4°C) and 78.4°F (25.8°C). Rainfall also increases and peaks to 1.93" (49mm) in August, with an average of 17.3 rainfall days. The daylight hours remain longest during these months, averaging 14.3 hours in June and 13.3 hours by August.
Autumn Weather in Folly Beach
During autumn, temperatures commence their downward curve.
September records an average high of 82.6°F (28.1°C), subsequently decreasing to 75.2°F (24°C) by
November. Average lows follow a similar pattern, gradually dropping from 74.3°F (23.5°C) to 55.6°F (13.1°C). Rainfall ranges from 1.3" (33mm) in September to 0.51" (13mm) by November, while the number of rainfall days reduces from 11.3 to 5.2 days.
Winter Weather in Folly Beach
Winter months show a further dip in temperature with the average high transitioning from 65.8°F (18.8°C) in
December to 57°F (13.9°C) in
January and
February. Simultaneously, average lows also decrease from 51.1°F (10.6°C) in December to 46.4°F (8°C) in January. December records the highest rainfall of the winter season at 1.14" (29mm) across 6.2 days. The sunshine hours reduce to a yearly low of 5.7 hours in December, with an average daylight duration of 10 hours throughout the winter.
Weather in January
Starting the year,
Folly Beach enjoys a relatively mild weather in
January. The temperatures oscillate between 46.4°F (8°C) and 57°F (13.9°C), providing the city with a gentle start. A notable feature of January is the infrequency of snowfall, with only approximately 0.2 snowfall days in the month, marking January as the start of a snowless stretch.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Entering
February,
Folly Beach sees a slight increase in temperature from
January with values ranging from 48.9°F (9.4°C) to 59.5°F (15.3°C). February perpetuates the trend of zero snowfall days, highlighting the remarkable snowless nature of Folly Beach's weather.
Weather in February »Weather in March
The pleasantness of the weather continues in
March, with a noticeable rise compared to
February, temperatures range from 54.1°F (12.3°C) to 64.4°F (18°C). As with the previous months, there is no snowfall in March, reinforcing the snow-free climate of
Folly Beach.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April's weather brings a change in comparison to
March. The temperatures in April present a climb with the range increasing to 61.9°F (16.6°C) to 71.4°F (21.9°C). April stands as a testimony to
Folly Beach's lack of snowfall which remains consistent throughout the year.
Weather in April » Weather in May
In
May,
Folly Beach experiences a significant increase in temperatures compared to
April. Temperatures now range from 69.3°F (20.7°C) to 78.1°F (25.6°C). Predictably, there are no days with snowfall reinforcing Folly Beach's unchanging zero-snow nature.
Weather in May »Weather in June
June marks the official start of the summer season in
Folly Beach, with a climb in temperatures compared to
May, moving between 75.9°F (24.4°C) to 84.2°F (29°C). There is an increase in rainfall in June when compared with May, making this month the wettest yet, with 1.14" (29mm) falling on an average of 13.4 days.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July sees
Folly Beach at its warmest with temperatures ranging between 78.4°F (25.8°C) to 86.2°F (30.1°C), marking the peak of summer. Despite the increase in humidity and cloud cover from
June, July records the same amount of rainfall i.e, 1.1" (28mm).
Weather in July » Weather in August
August in
Folly Beach tends to mirror
July in terms of temperatures, remaining within the range of 78.4°F (25.8°C)-86°F (-65.6°C). In relation to the previous month, there is a significant rise in rainfall in August, with the city experiencing its maximum rainfall of 1.93" (49mm).
Weather in August » Weather in September
September marks a change in
Folly Beach's climate as temperatures start to descend from
August's peaks, ranging between 74.3°F (23.5°C) to 82.6°F (28.1°C). Despite the decrease in temperatures, September records only slightly lower rainfall when compared to August, thereby contributing to the wet season.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October presents a noticeable cooling from
September, with the weather in
Folly Beach showing temperatures ranging From 65.7°F (18.7°C) to 75.2°F (24°C). Consistent with the rest of the year, October registers zero snowfall days.
Weather in October » Weather in November
The month of
November sees an additional drop in temperatures from
October with temperatures oscillating between 55.6°F (13.1°C) to 65.8°F (18.8°C). Taking a look at the recorded data, November experiences a further reduction in rainfall, with average falls of 0.51" (13mm).
Weather in November »Weather in December
December marks the end of the year, with the weather in
Folly Beach dipping further, showcasing a temperature range from 51.1°F (10.6°C) to 60.6°F (15.9°C). Winter isn't synonymous with snowfall as evidenced by the zero snowfall days in December.
Weather in December »