Best time to visit Charlotte
The best time to visit Charlotte is April and October, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
°C
mm
- Average daily high and low
- Precipitation
- Good month
- Best month
- Made good or best by an event
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10.8 °C / 51 °F | 0.9 °C / 34 °F | 88 mm / 3.5 in | neither best nor good |
| February | 13.6 °C / 56 °F | 2.9 °C / 37 °F | 83 mm / 3.3 in | neither best nor good |
| March | 18 °C / 64 °F | 6.7 °C / 44 °F | 93 mm / 3.7 in | good month |
| April | 23 °C / 73 °F | 11.2 °C / 52 °F | 91 mm / 3.6 in | best month |
| May | 27.1 °C / 81 °F | 16.1 °C / 61 °F | 81 mm / 3.2 in | good month |
| June | 31.2 °C / 88 °F | 20.5 °C / 69 °F | 83 mm / 3.3 in | neither best nor good |
| July | 32.4 °C / 90 °F | 22.3 °C / 72 °F | 94 mm / 3.7 in | neither best nor good |
| August | 31.1 °C / 88 °F | 21.6 °C / 71 °F | 105 mm / 4.1 in | neither best nor good |
| September | 28.2 °C / 83 °F | 18.2 °C / 65 °F | 99 mm / 3.9 in | good month |
| October | 22.7 °C / 73 °F | 11.6 °C / 53 °F | 76 mm / 3 in | best month |
| November | 16.9 °C / 62 °F | 5.5 °C / 42 °F | 79 mm / 3.1 in | good month |
| December | 13 °C / 55 °F | 3.2 °C / 38 °F | 108 mm / 4.2 in | neither best nor good |
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen
Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:
- Daytime highs
- Night-time lows
- How warm it feels
- Humidity
- How much of the day is sunny
- Hours of daylight
- Monthly rainfall
- How many days it rains
- Days of heavy rain
- Wind
- Snowfall and days with snow
- Major events, such as festivals
The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.
The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.
Best months by activity
Exploring outdoors
Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: good
- AApril: best
- MMay: good
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- April, October
- Good
- March, May, September, November
Charlotte's outdoor-touring window runs March through November, peaking in April and October when temperatures are mild and rain modest; January, February and December are too cold and dim, while June through August turn hot and humid with frequent rain.
Why these months
March · good
In its favour: average daily high 18 °C / 64 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 71%, relative humidity 59%, average daily low 6.7 °C / 44 °F.
Against: feels like (high) 15.5 °C / 60 °F, precipitation 93 mm / 3.7 in, days with heavy rain 3.2 days, wet days 9.2 days.
Also on: CIAA Basketball Tournament, Southern Spring Home and Garden Show, St. Patrick's Day Parade.
April · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 21.7 °C / 71 °F, average daily high 23 °C / 73 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, average daily low 11.2 °C / 52 °F, relative humidity 59%.
Against: days with heavy rain 3.1 days, precipitation 91 mm / 3.6 in, wet days 8.7 days.
Also on: Art and Soul of South End Festival, PGA Quail Hollow Championship, Tuck Fest.
May · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 77%, average daily low 16.1 °C / 61 °F.
Against: wet days 10.2 days, days with heavy rain 2.8 days, average daily high 27.1 °C / 81 °F, precipitation 81 mm / 3.2 in, feels like (high) 27.5 °C / 82 °F, relative humidity 63%.
Also on: Speed Street crowds.
Watch out for: Memorial Day closures, Speed Street crowds.
September · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 78%, average daily low 18.2 °C / 65 °F.
Against: feels like (high) 29.9 °C / 86 °F, average daily high 28.2 °C / 83 °F, precipitation 99 mm / 3.9 in, wet days 9.1 days, days with heavy rain 2.6 days, relative humidity 71%.
Also on: Charlotte Film Festival, Charlotte Shout, Festival in the Park, Labor Day Parade, Yiasou Greek Festival.
Watch out for: Labor Day closures.
October · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 22.2 °C / 72 °F, average daily high 22.7 °C / 73 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, average daily low 11.6 °C / 53 °F.
Against: days with heavy rain 2.3 days, precipitation 76 mm / 3 in, relative humidity 71%, wet days 6.7 days.
Also on: BayHaven Food & Wine, Novello Festival of Reading, Scarowinds.
Watch out for: Columbus Day closures.
November · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 75%, average daily high 16.9 °C / 62 °F, days with heavy rain 2.4 days, relative humidity 66%, average daily low 5.5 °C / 42 °F.
Against: feels like (high) 14.7 °C / 58 °F, precipitation 79 mm / 3.1 in, wet days 7.5 days, sunshine per day 7.7 h.
Also on: Carrousel Thanksgiving Day Parade, Charlotte International Auto Show, Charlotte Marathon, EclecFest, Southern Christmas Show.
Watch out for: Holiday season travel crowds, Thanksgiving travel crush, Veterans Day closures.
Hiking and trekking
Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.
- JJanuary: good
- FFebruary: good
- MMarch: best
- AApril: best
- MMay: good
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: neither
- OOctober: best
- NNovember: good
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- March–April, October
- Good
- January–February, May, November
Cool, dry spring (March-April) and October are Charlotte's best hiking months, with ample daylight and modest rain; midsummer (June-September) is too hot and humid for exertion, and December is the weakest month, combining the shortest days with the heaviest rain.
Why these months
January · good
In its favour: average daily high 10.8 °C / 51 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 69%, feels like (high) 7.6 °C / 46 °F, average daily low 0.9 °C / 34 °F, wind (daily max) 16 km/h / 10 mph, daylight per day 10.1 h.
Against: days with heavy rain 2.8 days, wet days 9.6 days, precipitation 88 mm / 3.5 in, sunshine per day 7 h.
Watch out for: Holiday season travel crowds, Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures, New Year's Day closures.
February · good
In its favour: average daily high 13.6 °C / 56 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 69%, feels like (high) 10.5 °C / 51 °F, average daily low 2.9 °C / 37 °F, daylight per day 10.9 h, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 10 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 2.8 days, wet days 8.8 days, precipitation 83 mm / 3.3 in, sunshine per day 7.6 h.
Watch out for: Presidents' Day closures.
March · best
In its favour: average daily high 18 °C / 64 °F, feels like (high) 15.5 °C / 60 °F, average daily low 6.7 °C / 44 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 71%, daylight per day 12 h, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 10 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 3.2 days, precipitation 93 mm / 3.7 in, wet days 9.2 days.
Also on: CIAA Basketball Tournament, Southern Spring Home and Garden Show, St. Patrick's Day Parade.
April · best
In its favour: average daily high 23 °C / 73 °F, feels like (high) 21.7 °C / 71 °F, average daily low 11.2 °C / 52 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 79%, daylight per day 13.1 h, wind (daily max) 17 km/h / 10 mph.
Against: days with heavy rain 3.1 days, precipitation 91 mm / 3.6 in, wet days 8.7 days.
Also on: Art and Soul of South End Festival, PGA Quail Hollow Championship, Tuck Fest.
May · good
In its favour: share of daylight that is sunny 77%, daylight per day 14 h, wind (daily max) 15 km/h / 9 mph, average daily low 16.1 °C / 61 °F.
Against: average daily high 27.1 °C / 81 °F, feels like (high) 27.5 °C / 82 °F, wet days 10.2 days, days with heavy rain 2.8 days, precipitation 81 mm / 3.2 in, relative humidity 63%.
Also on: Speed Street crowds.
Watch out for: Memorial Day closures, Speed Street crowds.
October · best
In its favour: average daily high 22.7 °C / 73 °F, days with heavy rain 2.3 days, average daily low 11.6 °C / 53 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, feels like (high) 22.2 °C / 72 °F, daylight per day 11.3 h, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph.
Against: precipitation 76 mm / 3 in, wet days 6.7 days, relative humidity 71%.
Also on: BayHaven Food & Wine, Novello Festival of Reading, Scarowinds.
Watch out for: Columbus Day closures.
November · good
In its favour: average daily high 16.9 °C / 62 °F, days with heavy rain 2.4 days, feels like (high) 14.7 °C / 58 °F, average daily low 5.5 °C / 42 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, wind (daily max) 14 km/h / 9 mph, daylight per day 10.3 h.
Against: precipitation 79 mm / 3.1 in, wet days 7.5 days, sunshine per day 7.7 h.
Also on: Carrousel Thanksgiving Day Parade, Charlotte International Auto Show, Charlotte Marathon, EclecFest, Southern Christmas Show.
Watch out for: Holiday season travel crowds, Thanksgiving travel crush, Veterans Day closures.
An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Sugar Mountain Resort, 136 km away.
Weather averages
Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like (high) | 7.6 °C | 10.5 °C | 15.5 °C | 21.7 °C | 27.5 °C | 33.6 °C | 36 °C | 34.5 °C | 29.9 °C | 22.2 °C | 14.7 °C | 10.5 °C |
| Days with heavy rain | 2.8 days | 2.8 days | 3.2 days | 3.1 days | 2.8 days | 2.5 days | 2.6 days | 3.2 days | 2.6 days | 2.3 days | 2.4 days | 3 days |
| Time rain usually falls | 11 am | 10 am | 9 am | 6 pm | 5 pm | 6 pm | 6 pm | 6 pm | 5 pm | 11 am | 9 am | 11 am |
| Sunshine per day | 7 h | 7.6 h | 8.5 h | 10.3 h | 10.7 h | 12 h | 11.8 h | 11.1 h | 9.7 h | 8.5 h | 7.7 h | 6.3 h |
| Relative humidity | 66% | 63% | 59% | 59% | 63% | 65% | 68% | 72% | 71% | 71% | 66% | 70% |
Air quality
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–2025 | 10.7 µg/m³ | 10.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | 11.2 µg/m³ | 14.9 µg/m³ | 15.6 µg/m³ | 13.3 µg/m³ | 11.1 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | 9.6 µg/m³ | 12.3 µg/m³ |
| Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–2025 | 19.6 µg/m³ | 18.6 µg/m³ | 16.6 µg/m³ | 15.3 µg/m³ | 19.1 µg/m³ | 23.1 µg/m³ | 22.8 µg/m³ | 20.6 µg/m³ | 17.8 µg/m³ | 16 µg/m³ | 17.3 µg/m³ | 24.1 µg/m³ |
- Good 15 µg/m³ or less
- Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
- Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
- Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
- Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
- Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³
Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.
Events and seasons
What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.
Reasons to go
- CIAA Basketball Tournament
1–7 March
- St. Patrick's Day Parade
March
- Southern Spring Home and Garden Show
March
- Tuck Fest
21–30 April
- Art and Soul of South End Festival
April
- PGA Quail Hollow Championship
April
- Speed Street crowds
21–30 May, dates vary from year to year
- Heroes Convention
June and July
- Taste of Charlotte
June
- Fourth of July Fireworks Display
4 July
- Black Gay Pride Festival
July
- Charlotte Pride
August
- Festival in the Park
21–30 September
- Labor Day Parade
1–7 September, dates vary from year to year
- Charlotte Shout
September
- Charlotte Film Festival
September
- Yiasou Greek Festival
7–10 September, dates vary from year to year
- BayHaven Food & Wine
11–20 October
- Novello Festival of Reading
October
- Scarowinds
October
- Charlotte Marathon
November
- Southern Christmas Show
21–30 November
- EclecFest
November
- Charlotte International Auto Show
November
- Carrousel Thanksgiving Day Parade
22–28 November, dates vary from year to year
- Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker
December
- Charlotte Collectible and Antique Show
December
- ACC Championship Game
8–14 December, dates vary from year to year
- Belk Bowl
December
Worth knowing before you go
- New Year's Day closures
1 January
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day closures
15–21 January, dates vary from year to year
- Holiday season travel crowds
January, November and December, dates vary from year to year
- Presidents' Day closures
15–21 February, dates vary from year to year
- Speed Street crowds
21–30 May, dates vary from year to year
- Memorial Day closures
25–31 May, dates vary from year to year
- Juneteenth closures
19 June
- Fourth of July Fireworks Display
4 July
- Independence Day closures
4 July
- Labor Day closures
1–7 September, dates vary from year to year
- Columbus Day closures
8–14 October, dates vary from year to year
- Veterans Day closures
11 November
- Thanksgiving travel crush
21–30 November, dates vary from year to year
- Christmas closures
24–25 December