You’ve seen the postcards. Palm trees, historic mansions, and that perpetual golden-hour glow that makes everything look like a movie set. But if you’re looking at a weather report in charleston south carolina right now, you might be scratching your head. It’s January 16, 2026, and the Holy City is currently playing a bit of a trick on us.
It’s sunny. Like, aggressively sunny. But don’t let that blue sky fool you into thinking it's beach weather. Right now, it’s a crisp 42°F. That’s the kind of cold that bites at your ears if you're walking down King Street without a hat. The wind is coming from the south at a gentle 5 mph, which sounds nice, but with a humidity level sitting at just 26%, the air is exceptionally dry. It's "lotion up or suffer" kind of weather.
The Weather Report in Charleston South Carolina Today
Honestly, Charleston winters are weird. People expect the Deep South to stay tropical year-round, but we get these arctic pulses that remind us we're still on the Atlantic coast. Today’s high is expected to hit 47°F, while the overnight low is going to bottom out at a shivering 27°F.
If you’re planning to be out tonight, basically dress like you’re in New York, not the Lowcountry.
The UV index is low—only a 3—so you won't fry, but the clear skies mean there's nothing to trap the heat once the sun dips. Speaking of dipping, there’s a tiny 5% chance of rain tonight, though the day is bone-dry. Interestingly, the daily forecast mentions a 0% chance of snow for the daytime, which might seem like a "well, obviously" for South Carolina, but the National Weather Service in Charleston has actually been watching a system that could bring a wintry mix to areas west of I-95 later this weekend.
Why This Weekend Might Get Weird
We’re in the middle of a serious cold snap. Earlier this week, the city actually had to open warming centers. That's not common.
- The Saturday Shift: Tomorrow starts out relatively mild with a high near 61°F. It's a total "fake spring" moment.
- The Sunday Slap: By early Sunday morning (around 1 a.m.), things get dicey. There’s a 30-40% probability of minor snowfall or a rain-snow mix inland.
- The Monday Morning Reality: Anything that falls will likely melt by noon, but the overnight lows will hover in the low 20s.
January 17 is historically the coldest day of the year here. We're right on schedule.
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Coastal Realities and Humidity
One thing people often overlook in a weather report in charleston south carolina is how the water affects everything. The sea temperature right now is roughly 61-65°F. Too cold for a dip, but warm enough to keep the barrier islands—think Sullivan’s Island or Folly Beach—just a few degrees warmer than the inland spots like Summerville or Goose Creek.
If you're near the harbor, that breeze hits differently.
Current barometric pressure is around 30.22 in, indicating a high-pressure system is firmly in control. This is why the sky looks like a flat blue sheet today. No clouds to speak of. It’s beautiful, sure, but it’s a "dry cold" that feels much different than the "heavy cold" we get when the humidity spikes to 80% or 90%.
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What to Actually Do With This Information
If you're a local or just visiting, the "sweater" recommendation you see on travel apps is a bit of an understatement for today. You need layers. A shell to block the wind and something wool underneath.
Pipes, plants, and pets. That’s the mantra for the next 48 hours. When the mercury hits 27°F tonight, those outdoor hibiscus plants are going to struggle. If you’ve got exposed pipes in an older Charleston home (and let's be real, most of them are), maybe let the tap drip just a tiny bit.
The National Weather Service recently updated their discussion format to be "impacts-first." This means they aren't just telling us it's cold; they're warning us about the potential for black ice on bridges if that Sunday wintry mix actually materializes.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Saturday evening update: The 30-40% snow chance is localized. If you’re traveling inland toward I-95, keep an eye on the radar.
- Protect your garden: Bring in the potted plants before sunset today. The jump from 47°F to 27°F is fast.
- Hydrate: That 26% humidity is abnormally low for us. You’ll feel the dehydration faster than you think in this dry air.
- Monitor the wind chill: While the wind is low now, any increase will make that 42°F feel like the 30s instantly.