Charleston, South Carolina Climate Change Risks and Hazards: Precipitation, Heat (2024)

People in Charleston, SC are especially likely to experience increased risks from precipitation, heat, and flood.

Precipitation and heat risk in Charleston, SC is extreme. Drought risk is high. About 83% of buildings in Charleston, SC are at risk of flooding, and the risk level for these buildings is very high. About 41% of buildings in Charleston, SC are at risk of wildfire, and the risk level for these buildings is relatively low.

Fire and flood risk can vary significantly for individual properties within a city. Check your address for detailed heat, storm, fire, drought, and flood risk through 2050.

An extreme storm for Charleston, SC is a 48-hour rainfall total greater than 1.2 inches. Historically, about 21.1" of rain (or the equivalent in snow) fell over about 10 storms each year. By 2050, about 23.9" of rain are projected over about 12 storms each year. The annual precipitation in Charleston, SC is projected to increase from about 48.4" to about 51.2".

Extreme precipitation in any form can pose significant risks. Climate change increases the potential for extreme rainfall or snowfall because warmer air can hold more water vapor. See more information on storm risk. Property owners can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme precipitation.

In a typical year between 1985-2005, people in Charleston, SC experienced about 7 days above 94.2ºF in a year. By 2050, people in Charleston are projected to experience an average of about 34 days per year over 94.2ºF.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, even in places with cooler average temperatures. See more information on heat risk. Everyone can take steps to reduce their risks from extreme heat.

Of 90 census tracts in Charleston, SC, there are 66 where more than half of buildings have significant risk from storm surge, high tide flooding, surface (pluvial) flooding, and riverine (fluvial) flooding.Property owners can check a specific address for flood risk including FEMA flood zone, then take steps to reduce their vulnerability to flooding damage.

Climate change is increasing inland and coastal flooding risk due to sea level rise and increasing chances of extreme precipitation. See more information on flooding risk.

The Copper watershed, which contains Charleston, SC, has experienced 558 weeks (49% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in drought of any level, and 57 weeks (5% of weeks) since 2000 with some of its area in Extreme or Exceptional drought. Source: National Drought Monitor.

Climate change is increasing the risk of drought. Water stress (the ratio of water demand to supply) depends on how water utilities source water and their plans to adapt to climate change. Property owners can also take steps to reduce their risks from drought.

Of 90 census tracts in Charleston, SC, there are 61 where more than a quarter of buildings have significant fire risk, and 48 where more than half of buildings have significant fire risk. Property owners can take steps to mitigate their risks from wildfires.

Fire risk depends on proximity to vegation: densely developed urban areas have a much lower risk of burning than areas adjacent to wildland. Climate change increases risks from wildfire by creating hotter, drier conditions for fires to spread. ClimateCheck ratings of fire risk are based on projected weather conditions and U.S. Forest Service models simulating fire behavior.