‹ South Carolina weather by month

South Carolina weather in May

The state broadly agrees with itself in May: afternoons run 84° in Hilton Head Island and 79° in Myrtle Beach, with everywhere else in between.

Based on 3 weather stations. Three stations, all on the water — inland South Carolina and the upstate around Greenville run hotter in summer and colder on winter nights than any row here.

Charleston & the Lowcountry

Highs 79–84°, nights 64–68°, and 2.5–2.6 in of rain in a typical May.

Place Highs / lows Wet days The short version
Charleston 79° / 68° 4 Warm, salt-heavy air and the first real beach weekends.
Hilton Head Island 84° / 64° 5 The water turns swimmable and the season properly begins.

The Grand Strand

Highs near 79°, nights around 62°, and 3.0 in of rain in a typical May.

Place Highs / lows Wet days The short version
Myrtle Beach 79° / 62° 5 Everything's open, nothing's crowded yet — the locals' month.

Each place above has its own page for the full story — what the month feels like, what to pack, and whether the timing is right.

Where to go in May, across the whole country ›