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Your nature year

Charleston, South Carolinathrough the year

Also for North Charleston, SC, Mount Pleasant, SC, Summerville, SC, Goose Creek, SC: the same nearby places.

When do frost, green-up and fall color come to Charleston?

We follow 3 places within 150 miles of Charleston; the nearest lies 55 miles to the northwest. Santee Refuge, 55 miles from Charleston, is the nearest winter wildlife spot on this site, Nov 1–Feb 28 (local timing).

For fall foliage, the nearest is Congaree National Park (84 mi, usually Oct 21–Nov 10). Expect about 329 frost-free days in Charleston: the last spring frost usually comes around Feb 4, the first fall one around Dec 30, going by NOAA's Dwtn Charleston station 4.6 miles away. Leaves usually come out around Jan 31 and the first flowers around Feb 28. Charleston sits close to sea level, at about 5 feet.

Updated Sep 27. Sources: US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) ↗ (opens in a new tab), US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 ↗ (opens in a new tab), NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) ↗ (opens in a new tab)

Charleston's year at a glance

  • Frost possible
  • Frost-free, ~Feb 4 to ~Dec 30
  • First leaf ~Jan 31
  • First bloom ~Feb 28
  • Today

Near Charleston right now

  • First fall frost usually around Dec 30 · last spring frost around Feb 4NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Dwtn Charleston (4.6 mi, 50% dates)
    ~3 months
  • Fall foliage · Congaree National Park · 84 miusually Oct 21–Nov 10
    ~3 weeks

Charleston's nature year

From the town's own dates and its nearest places
  • Spring green-upJan
  • Last spring frostFeb
  • Synchronous fireflies · Congaree National ParkMay–Jun
  • Fall foliage · Congaree National ParkOct–Nov
  • Winter wildlife · Santee RefugeNov–Feb
  • First fall frostDec

Nearby, season by season

Real places within 150 miles, straight-line

Fall foliage

Synchronous fireflies

Winter wildlife

Frost and green-up

Last spring frost

Feb 4

Average (50% date)

First fall frost

Dec 30

About 329 days without frost between

Spring green-up

Jan 31

First bloom around Feb 28

Frost: NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at Dwtn Charleston (4.6 mi from Charleston), the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not. Green-up: the USA-NPN Spring Index, 1991–2020 average at the town.

Questions people ask

When is the first frost in Charleston?

On average around Dec 30, and the last spring frost around Feb 4: about 329 days without frost between. These are NOAA's 1991–2020 normals at Dwtn Charleston, 4.6 miles away (the day a 32 °F night is as likely as not).

When does spring green-up reach Charleston?

The USA-NPN Spring Index puts first leaf around Jan 31 and first bloom around Feb 28, on average for 1991–2020 at the town.

Where can I see fall foliage near Charleston?

Congaree National Park, 84 miles (usually Oct 21–Nov 10). Distances are straight-line.

Where can I see synchronous fireflies near Charleston?

Congaree National Park, 84 miles (usually May 11–Jun 20). Distances are straight-line.

How we know

US Census Bureau, 2024 Gazetteer (places) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · US Census Bureau, city and town population estimates, 2024 (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (annual/seasonal) (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27) · USA National Phenology Network, Spring Index 1991–2020 averages (opens in a new tab) (Sep 27)

All our sources and how we use them →