What is the current water temperature in Charleston?

Q: What is the current water temperature in Charleston?

As of now, in Charleston, the water temperature is 2.66°F. Swimming in water of this temperature is considered as extremely cold, and there's a substantial risk of hypothermia if exposed for more than a brief duration.

United States > Charleston

Water temperature in Charleston

Detailed information about the current water temperature in Charleston. The trend over the last two weeks, daily averages, and precise forecast of the water temperature changes. Gain a deeper understanding of seasonal dynamics with monthly statistical analyses covering recent years.

36.8

°F

January 9, 05:03

Trend:

decreasing

Yesterday:

37.0°F

Tomorrow:

36.4°F

Sunrise:

07:20

Sunset:

16:48

Day Length:

9 h. 28 min.

Charleston in January

Minimum:

37.4°F

Average:

42.7°F

Maximum:

48.8°F

Sea water temperature in Charleston today

As of now, in Charleston, the water temperature is 36.8°F. Swimming in water of this temperature is considered as extremely cold, and there's a substantial risk of hypothermia if exposed for more than a brief duration. Today's reading is 5.1°F lower than the average recorded on this particular day in recent years. The sea temperature remains approximately unchanged from yesterday. According to the forecast, we expect the temperature to fall a bit.

Recent sea temperature and forecast

Today's water temperature is considerably lower than the average registered over the last two weeks, indicating a slight cooling trend. It is also close to the historical minimum temperature for this date. The maximum temperature recorded for this date was 43.1°F on 2019, while the historical minimum was 39.6°F on 2025.

latest data

last year

Observations from the last two weeks indicate that the water temperature was in proximity to the lowest values recorded on those days in the past. The forecast for the upcoming week shows a gradual cooling trend. The average temperature is expected to be 36.0°F, the minimum temperature may reach 35.8°F, and the maximum might stay at 36.4°F.

Daily water temperature in Charleston

Date	Current Year actual* / forecast**	last year	10 years average
Jan 1	38.0°F	42.0°F	42.7°F
Jan 2	38.6°F	42.4°F	42.9°F
Jan 3	39.0°F	42.7°F	42.9°F
Jan 4	39.0°F	42.5°F	42.5°F
Jan 5	36.3°F	42.3°F	42.0°F
Jan 6	36.5°F	40.4°F	41.8°F
Jan 7	36.9°F	40.6°F	41.9°F
Jan 8	37.0°F	40.0°F	41.6°F
Jan 9	36.8°F	39.6°F	41.9°F
Jan 10	36.4°F	35.9°F	41.4°F
Jan 11	36.1°F	36.6°F	41.2°F
Jan 12	35.8°F	37.1°F	40.9°F
Jan 13	36.0°F	36.9°F	41.1°F
Jan 14	36.2°F	37.4°F	41.2°F
Jan 15	35.9°F	36.1°F	41.0°F
Jan 16	35.8°F	36.4°F	40.9°F
Dec 26	39.6°F	41.2°F	42.5°F
Dec 27	38.3°F	40.9°F	42.3°F
Dec 28	38.5°F	40.1°F	42.2°F
Dec 29	37.9°F	40.4°F	42.1°F
Dec 30	38.2°F	40.9°F	42.7°F
Dec 31	38.5°F	43.3°F	42.5°F

* actual - actual temperature values

** forecast - projected values for the next week

Real-time coastal temperatures could deviate by several degrees from the provided readings. These deviations often become evident following intense rainfall or strong winds.

Our forecasting methodology leverages a mathematical model, that uses current water and weather conditions, historical records, wind intensity and direction.

Sea water temperature in Charleston by month

In Charleston, the months July through August offer comfortable swimming conditions, which amounts to 67 swimming days.

The warmest water in Charleston was recorded on July 20, 2020, reaching a 81.8°F. While the coldest temperature occurred on January 19, 2022, dipping to 33.6°F. The average readings by season are 41.6°F in Winter, 49.8°F in Spring, 73.5°F in Summer, and 63.3°F in Autumn.

Popular neighboring cities and resorts

City	Water temperature*	Distance**
Staten Island	37.7°F	5mi
Coney Island	40.0°F	13mi
Jersey City	36.7°F	16mi
Brooklyn	38.7°F	17mi
New York City	36.7°F	17mi

* current water temperature in this city

** straight line distance from Charleston