March in Charleston tends to start out cool but becomes more comfortable near the end of the month.
You can expect 1-2 days being warm and humid, mostly near the end of the month.
Temperatures
Daytime high temperatures tend to be around 63-65 F (17-18 C) early in the month but warm to nearly 70 F (21 C) near the end of the month.
A few of the warmer afternoons, especially late in the month, can reach near 79 F (26 C).
The record high temperature in Charleston during March is 90 F (32.2 C).
Late night and early morning low temperatures tend to be around 48-50 F (9-10 C) early in March, warming to near 55 F (13 C) near the end of the month.
A few of the colder mornings, especially early in March can dip down around 34-36 F (1-2 C) with about 1 day, on average reaching 32 F (0 C). The record low temperature in Charleston during March is 15 F (-9.4 C).
Sun and Rain
You can expect about 9 sunny, 8 partly sunny, and 14 mostly cloudy days this month.
In addition, about 8-9 days will record some rain, however, only about 2 days will record significant rains of 0.5 inches (12.7 mm) or more.
Snow is rare but occasionally occurs, mostly in trace amounts. The record snowfall during March in Charleston is 1.3 inches in 1960.
Daylight
The number of daylight hours increases rapidly this month from 11.5 hours on the 1st to 12.5 hours by the 31st.
Windspeed
The prevailing winds during this month are gentle to moderate at 8-18 mph (12-28 kph).
Ocean Temperatures
March is not a month for hanging out at the beach as ocean temperatures average about 63 F (17 C) early in the month, warming only to about 65 F (18 C) near the end of the month.
What to Wear in Charleston During March?
Early Spring weather prevails this month with a few warm days possible near the end of the month.
You should pack long-sleeve tops, a sweater or two, jeans or other long pants, plus a couple of short-sleeve shirts for the few warmer afternoons.
Don’t forget a good pair of walking shoes.
Things to Do in Charleston in March
With the weather finally warming up, there's more of a chance that you'll visit on a good day to take a pay-what-you-wish Charleston walking tour.
If it's a nice enough day, you might even want to consider enjoying a harbor cruise or perhaps visiting the historic site of Fort Sumter.
Alternatively, if the weather doesn't clear up enough for outdoor activities, there are also theatrical performances such as Jesus Christ Superstar and a stand-up comedy show from Fortune Feimster!
For even more excellent ideas, make sure to check our full post covering things to do in Charleston.
Fred Pickhardt
