Carolina has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 21°, and about 35 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Carolina at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Carolina’s climate
Read from where Carolina sits among Rhode Island’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Carolina averaged 2.4° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.9°).
A bigger shift than in 99% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
Living with Carolina’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
159 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 3 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 8.
About 35" a winter over 10 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 30 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 89% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 9 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 82°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August, September and October. 2.0 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →What a year in Carolina feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
35 inches of snow, 48 of rain and melt
March is the wettest month and July the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 128 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 159 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 3 and the first by October 8.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Carolina and its neighbors
Richmond has the coldest January nights next door (21°) and Richmond the hottest July afternoons (82°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Carolina compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Rhode Island.
Carolina weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38° | 21° | 3.8" | 10.0" | 11 | 10 | 21° – 36° |
| February | 40° | 22° | 3.3" | 9.9" | 9 | 9 | 19° – 38° |
| March | 47° | 28° | 4.9" | 6.2" | 10 | 5 | 32° – 45° |
| April | 58° | 37° | 4.4" | 1.1" | 12 | 0 | 44° – 52° |
| May | 68° | 47° | 3.6" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 52° – 62° |
| June | 77° | 56° | 3.8" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 64° – 69° |
| July | 82° | 62° | 3.2" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 68° – 76° |
| August | 81° | 61° | 3.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 68° – 75° |
| September | 74° | 54° | 4.0" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 61° – 67° |
| October | 63° | 43° | 4.7" | 0.1" | 12 | 0 | 50° – 60° |
| November | 53° | 34° | 4.0" | 0.6" | 10 | 0 | 39° – 48° |
| December | 44° | 26° | 4.7" | 6.6" | 11 | 5 | 29° – 46° |
| Year | 60° | 41° | 48.0" | 34.5" | 128 | 30 |
Heating and cooling a home in Carolina
89% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 19° to 38°. June is the most reliable, staying within 5°.
Common questions about Carolina’s climate
What is the coldest month in Carolina?
January, with a typical high of 38° and a low of 21°.
What is the hottest month in Carolina?
July, with a typical high of 82° and a low of 62°. About 9 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Carolina get?
About 35 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Carolina?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 8, and the last spring frost by May 3.
What is the rainiest month in Carolina?
March, with 4.9 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 48 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Carolina.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Carolina itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Kingston, RI (6 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.