Late spring · Weather & things to do
Charleston in May
Charleston warms up: highs climb to 83°F (28°C), from 75°F in April, with lows of 65°F (18°C) and about 3.6 in (92 mm) of rain.
It scores 80/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 83°F (28°C)
- Avg low
- 65°F (18°C)
- Rain
- 3.6 in (92 mm)
- Humidity
- 73%
- Cloud cover
- 49%
- Daylight
- ~13 h 41 min
- Comfort score
- 80/100 · Great
What May feels like
Warm afternoons near 83°F (28°C) make long days outdoors easy.
Lows average 65°F (18°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.6 in (92 mm).
Plan around May
May is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (March & April and November).
- Comfort slips from 85/100 in April to 80/100.
- May sits inside the Mar – May window our Charleston & Savannah route recommends.
What to pack for May
- Light, breathable clothes83°F afternoons
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hathigh UV on clear days
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 3.6 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Charleston in May
May is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
The Rooftop at The Vendue
Rooftop bar over the waterfront with views of the harbor and steeples.
Why now May scores 80/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Lewis Barbecue
Texas-style brisket, beef ribs and green chile corn pudding from pitmaster John Lewis; Michelin Bib Gourmand.
Husk
Lowcountry ingredients in a Victorian house, known for skillet cornbread.
Rainbow Row
Thirteen pastel Georgian houses on East Bay Street, the city's classic photo.
Why now Highs near 83°F and 3.6 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Gibbes Museum of Art
Compact museum of Southern art from colonial portraits to contemporary work.
Nearby in May
- Beaufort in May~49 mi · highs 81°F, 3.5 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Savannah in May~83 mi · highs 84°F, 3.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Amelia Island in May~171 mi · highs 78°F, 3.5 in rain · 3°C (5°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Uptown Charlotte in May~177 mi · highs 80°F, 4.0 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Charleston in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Charleston?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 80/100 against a best of 88 in March & April and November. Expect highs of 83°F (28°C) and 3.6 in (92 mm) of rain. May is inside the Mar – May window our Charleston & Savannah route recommends.
How hot is Charleston in May?
Average highs are 83°F (28°C) and average lows 65°F (18°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Charleston in May?
Some: about 3.6 in (92 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 49.0 in (1245 mm).
What should I pack for Charleston in May?
Bring light, breathable clothes (83°F afternoons), sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat (high UV on clear days), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 3.6 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in May
- Charleston & Savannah Mar – May
Planning Charleston in May?
Share this May plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.