More precipitation falls on Carolina Forest than on 89% of U.S. towns: 52 inches a year
The warmest part of a July day comes in at 89° on average. Seasons differ by 53°, from the coldest nights to the warmest afternoons. Its January nights stay gentler than in 83% of U.S. towns. Warm coats and heating bills mark the months from December to February, when means dip under 50°.
A year in Carolina Forest at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Carolina Forest’s climate
Compared with towns across the U.S., with Carolina Forest’s place in South Carolina beside it.
What a year in Carolina Forest feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 239 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by March 21 and the first by November 13. Frost and day counts come from NOAA’s station at Myrtle Beach, SC, 5 miles from the town’s center, at about the same height.
The 2023 USDA map puts Carolina Forest’s center in zone 8b: the coldest night of a typical winter, averaged over 1991–2020, reaches about 18°. Plant labels use the zone; frost dates tell you when to plant.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
About 52 inches of rain a year
August is the wettest month and April the driest.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Heating and cooling a home in Carolina Forest
60% of the work is heating. Months averaging under 55° run from December through February.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. NOAA normals at Myrtle Beach, SC.
Living with Carolina Forest’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a free afternoon and a bad-weather day.
239 frost-free days in zone 8b. The last frost comes by Mar 21 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Nov 13.
Months with highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more: March, April, May, September, October and November. 16 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Of the yearly building losses FEMA expects in Carolina Forest from natural hazards, hurricanes are the largest share (62%); heat waves, cold waves, winter storms and ice storms together are 6%. Normals are averages; the hazards page covers the extremes.
Natural hazards →Carolina Forest and its neighbors
Conway the hottest July afternoons (91°, 1° warmer). Differences under a degree are within what the 5 km grid can tell apart. 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.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Carolina Forest averaged 0.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+2.0°).
A smaller shift than in 85% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
The two periods overlap (1991–2000 is in both), which makes the gap a little smaller than it would be between separate periods.
How Carolina Forest compares
Against 12,954 U.S. towns of 2,500 or more (one per 5 km climate cell), with Carolina Forest’s place among South Carolina’s.
Carolina Forest weather by month
Highs, lows and precipitation from NOAA’s grid at Carolina Forest’s center. 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 57° | 36° | 3.5" | 41° – 52° |
| February | 60° | 38° | 3.2" | 42° – 57° |
| March | 67° | 44° | 3.6" | 48° – 63° |
| April | 74° | 52° | 3.1" | 59° – 67° |
| May | 81° | 60° | 3.9" | 66° – 74° |
| June | 87° | 69° | 5.0" | 73° – 82° |
| July | 89° | 72° | 6.0" | 79° – 83° |
| August | 88° | 71° | 6.3" | 77° – 83° |
| September | 83° | 66° | 6.3" | 72° – 79° |
| October | 76° | 55° | 4.1" | 61° – 71° |
| November | 67° | 44° | 3.4" | 51° – 61° |
| December | 60° | 38° | 3.8" | 39° – 60° |
| Year | 74° | 54° | 52.1" |
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 39° to 60°. July is the most reliable, staying within 5°.
Where Carolina Forest’s numbers come from
Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. How TownRatings reads climate data →
- Temperatures and precipitation: NOAA’s gridded 1991–2020 normals for the 5 km cell at Carolina Forest’s center.
- Frost, freezing nights, 90° and 100° days, heating and cooling: Myrtle Beach, SC, 5 miles from the town’s center, at about the same height; the nearest station that passes our checks for distance, height and agreement with the grid.
- Growing zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, 2023. USDA Agricultural Research Service and PRISM Group, Oregon State University, prism.oregonstate.edu/phzm, accessed 8 Oct 2026.
- Then and now: NOAA’s gridded normals for 1901–2000 at the same cell.
- Storms and extremes: FEMA National Risk Index (expected annual losses to buildings).
Common questions about Carolina Forest’s climate
What is the weather like in Carolina Forest?
A typical July afternoon reaches 89°, a January night drops to 36°. Milder January nights than 83% of U.S. towns; hotter July afternoons than 74% of U.S. towns.
How cold does it get in Carolina Forest in winter?
January nights average 36°. About 38 nights a year reach 32° or below. In the coldest January of the last 30 years the month averaged 41°.
How hot does it get in Carolina Forest?
July, with a typical high of 89° and a low of 72°. About 22 days a year reach 90° (Myrtle Beach, SC).
When is the first and last frost in Carolina Forest?
In half of years the last spring frost (32°) comes by March 21 and the first fall frost by November 13, about 239 frost-free days, at Myrtle Beach, SC.
What growing zone is Carolina Forest in?
Zone 8b on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map: the coldest night of a typical winter reaches about 18°.
What is the best time of year to visit Carolina Forest?
By one simple rule (highs of 62–84° and lows of 40° or more), March, April, May, September, October and November. The rule is ours, not NOAA’s; the month table has the numbers to judge by.
Is Carolina Forest getting warmer?
Yes: 1991–2020 averaged 0.9° warmer than 1901–2000 on NOAA’s grid. A smaller shift than 85% of U.S. towns.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Carolina Forest.
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000; USDA/PRISM 2023 hardiness zones; FEMA National Risk Index. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.