Weather in Charlotte, North Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—84°51°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—91°64°
- MondayMay 18Mostly Clear—90°68°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—91°64°
- WednesdayMay 20Light Drizzle23%92°67°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Showers75%85°67°
- FridayMay 22Drizzle75%78°65°
- PM 2.5
- 19.7 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 20.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 7.7 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 110.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:29 AM
- Moonset
- 12:44 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
Charlotte at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 4°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 18 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Peak growing season
As of May 17, the growing season is at its peak — frost is months away. Continue succession-planting beans and summer squash. Start fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, kale) from seed indoors for transplanting in late summer.
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | — |
| April | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | — |
| May | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | — | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Charlotte's peak heat with average temperatures around 80°F, while January delivers the coldest conditions at roughly 42°F. Rain follows a different schedule — August sees the heaviest downpours at 4.3 inches, while February stays relatively dry with just 3.1 inches.
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42° | 3.5″ | 7 |
| February | 46° | 3.1″ | 6 |
| March | 53° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| April | 61° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| May | 69° | 3.4″ | 6 |
| June | 77° | 4.0″ | 7 |
| July | 80° | 3.7″ | 6 |
| August | 79° | 4.3″ | 6 |
| September | 73° | 3.7″ | 5 |
| October | 62° | 3.2″ | 4 |
| November | 51° | 3.3″ | 5 |
| December | 45° | 3.6″ | 6 |
Regional context
Charlotte falls within the humid subtropical climate zone, sharing temperature ranges, seasonal rhythms, and growing conditions with other cities in this regional climate band.
Similar climates: Raleigh, NC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC, Greensboro, NC, Fayetteville, NC.
Naturalist notes
Dogwood trees reach peak bloom across Charlotte in April, their white bracts creating patches of brightness before the canopy fully leafs out.
Ruby-throated hummingbirds return to Charlotte gardens in early April after their long migration from Central America.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Charlotte?
- Spring's final frost usually occurs around mid-March in Charlotte, while the first fall frost typically arrives near mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in Charlotte?
- August brings the heaviest rainfall, averaging about 4.3 inches, while Charlotte's total annual precipitation reaches roughly 44 inches.
- What is the warmest month in Charlotte?
- July records the highest temperatures, with averages near 80°F.
- What is the coldest month in Charlotte?
- January brings the coldest weather, averaging about 42°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Charlotte?
- Plant cool-season vegetables like peas and lettuce around the final spring frost in mid-March, but wait 1–2 weeks later for warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers.
- How many rainy days does Charlotte get?
- Charlotte experiences precipitation on about 73 days each year.
- What hardiness zone is Charlotte?
- Charlotte's USDA hardiness zone depends on its lowest average winter temperatures; use the USDA's online tool with the city ZIP code to find the current zone designation.
Climate
Charlotte, North Carolina experiences a humid subtropical climate. Winter lows in January hover near 42°F, while summer highs in July average 80°F — creating a 38°F seasonal swing.
Annual precipitation totals about 44 inches, distributed across roughly 73 rainy days throughout the year.
Weather patterns follow the city's latitude at 35.2°N, along with its proximity to large water bodies and elevation. These factors determine what plants can survive here, when frost threatens, and how daily weather unfolds.
ZIP codes in Charlotte
- 28269
- 28262
- 28105
- 28280
- 28282
- 28209
- 28208
- 28205
- 28204
- 28207
- 28206
- 28203
- 28202
- 28223
- 28227
- 28226
- 28278
- 28270
- 28273
- 28274
- 28277
- 28134
- 28216
- 28217
- 28214
- 28215
- 28212
- 28213
- 28210
- 28211
- 28244
- 28126
- 28130
- 28201
- 28218
- 28219
- 28220
- 28221
- 28222
- 28224
- 28228
- 28229
- 28230
- 28231
- 28232
- 28233
- 28234
- 28235
- 28237
- 28241
- 28242
- 28243
- 28246
- 28247
- 28253
- 28254
- 28255
- 28256
- 28258
- 28260
- 28263
- 28265
- 28266
- 28271
- 28272
- 28275
- 28281
- 28284
- 28285
- 28287
- 28288
- 28289
- 28290
- 28296
- 28297
- 28299