Weather in West Columbia, South Carolina
Roses open on the Piedmont edge. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Overcast—89°52°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—94°65°
- MondayMay 18Partly Cloudy—94°68°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—93°64°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast11%91°67°
- ThursdayMay 21Light Drizzle67%94°69°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle67%91°69°
- PM 2.5
- 15.1 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 17.1 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 5.6 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 101.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:34 AM
- Moonset
- 12:42 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses open on the Piedmont edge
West Columbia at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 5°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: March 11 (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
West Columbia's warmest month is July (~82°F mean) and its coldest is January (~45°F). Rainfall peaks in August (4.7 inches) and bottoms out in November (3.0 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45° | 3.7″ | 7 |
| February | 48° | 3.6″ | 6 |
| March | 55° | 3.8″ | 6 |
| April | 63° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| May | 71° | 3.2″ | 6 |
| June | 78° | 4.4″ | 8 |
| July | 82° | 4.7″ | 8 |
| August | 80° | 4.7″ | 7 |
| September | 75° | 4.6″ | 6 |
| October | 64° | 3.2″ | 5 |
| November | 54° | 3.0″ | 4 |
| December | 48° | 4.1″ | 6 |
Regional context
West Columbia sits within a humid subtropical climate region — a cohort that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Charleston, SC, Columbia, SC, Greenville, SC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Rock Hill, SC.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in West Columbia?
- West Columbia's last spring frost typically falls around mid-March, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-December.
- What is the rainy season in West Columbia?
- August is the wettest month with about 4.7 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 46 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in West Columbia?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 82°F.
- What is the coldest month in West Columbia?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 45°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in West Columbia?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-March); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does West Columbia get?
- West Columbia averages about 75 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is West Columbia?
- West Columbia's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
West Columbia, South Carolina sits in a humid subtropical climate zone. January means hover near 45°F while July averages 82°F — a 37°F seasonal swing.
Across the year, West Columbia receives about 46 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 75 rainy days.
The rhythm of the year is set by latitude (34.0°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation — all of which shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.