Charlotte offers residents the benefits of both the mountains and the ocean, it also offers the best of all worlds in weather. This makes the city's weather one of its strongest assets, attracting visitors and new residents alike. The year is filled with days which invite you outside to enjoy the clear blue sky and bright sun; the perfect backdrop to Charlotte's beautifully landscaped neighborhoods, commercial areas, parks and lakes.

The area's climate can best be described as moderate, pleasant and sunny. Forget about the winter blues of our northern neighbors or the stifling summer heat of our southern friends. In Charlotte, the weather entices you outside all year round.

Charlotte's winter offers you a taste of the old man, without all the shoveling, swerving and salt. Only half of the winter days fall below freezing, and below zero (-18° C.) temperatures have only occurred five times since 1878.

Snow is infrequent, with an average annual accumulation of less than six inches, but Charlotte is only two hours away from excellent snow skiing in the North Carolina mountains. Residents can enjoy the snow, without having to endure it.

The summer months lure Charlotteans outside. The bright sun and clear skies, dappled with pure white clouds, fill the summer days. Unlike cities to the south, though, very hot weather conditions (90° F, 32° C) occur only 36 days in Charlotte compared to 81 days in Jacksonville, Florida and 83 days in Houston. On the average, temperatures reach 100°F (38°C) only twice a year. And with an average summer temperature of 76°F (24° C) with an average daily range of 20 degrees, these inviting days are punctuated by cool nights under starry skies.

The transformations of the seasons in Charlotte are the most breathtaking times of the year. The slow emergence of spring, from mid-March through May, provides residents with a visual extravaganza. The Carolina blue skies accentuate the pinks, reds, yellows, purples and soft whites of the spring blooms which fill the city. Those same skies, crisp and clear, provide the setting for the brilliant array of colors which paint the trees during a fall which extends well into November.

Both seasons are appreciably long, providing a slow, enjoyable gateway into summer or winter. The average frost free season lasts 216 days from mid-March to mid-November. October and November welcome the cool temperatures which invite people outside to enjoy those brilliant fall colors which rival those of New England, but are unknown in the deep south.

Once again the Charlotte climate offers the best of both worlds.  The necessary rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year with an average annual precipitation of 43 inches (107.5 cm).  By comparison, Miami has 60 inches (150 cm) and Denver 13 inches (32.5 cm).  The summer months host the heaviest rainfall; March is the wettest month, with 4.8 inches (12.2 cm); October is the driest month, with 2.7 inches (6.8 cm) of precipitation.

These refreshing rains are well balanced.  Only occasionally will Charlotte have dry spells, which last one to three weeks.  Droughts are rare and Charlotte has never had a major flood. Though occasional lowland flooding occurs, local stream and river basins are sufficient to carry most rainfalls effectively.