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Weather IQ: Charlotte's monthly superlatives

This is when Charlotte is the hottest, coldest, snowiest, wettest, driest and windiest.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — If you are new to Charlotte or just want to know what the weather is like, this article is for you. Weather statistics can be a boring subject, so let's liven it up in true yearbook fashion and name some superlatives to denote some of Charlotte's monthly extremes. 

Hottest

The hottest month of the year is July in Charlotte, The only month where highs average over 90 degrees (90.3°). The 11th from the 21st is technically the hottest time of the month, averaging at the max high of 90.5°.

However, the hottest temperature ever recorded is 104° and it wasn't just in July. That has happened four times: Once in June, July, August and September.

Credit: WCNC WEATHER
Oddly Charlotte can't get above 104° and has happened 6 times!

Coldest

The coldest month is January. Lows in January average just below freezing (31.8°).

The coldest low ever recorded in Charlotte is -5°. This also happened three times during multiple months: Once in December, January and February.

Credit: WCNC WEATHER
This is Charlottes bottom that hasn't happened since 1985 and before that happened over 100 years ago!

Snowiest

It doesn't snow a lot in Charlotte, just 3.5 inches per season is the 30-year average. So January barely wins this superlative. 

Credit: WCNC WEATHER

This is tricky cause if you date back to 1878 when Charlotte record-keeping began, more snow has fallen in the month of February. Only about 14 inches more, but the biggest snow storms have happened all in February. Bonus fact: The day it snows the most is March 2.

Wettest

The wettest month is August. This is the only month that averages over 4 inches each year. 

Credit: WCNC CHARLOTTE WEATHER

Driest

On the inverse, the driest month is February which beats out October for the top spot by only 0.03 of an inch.

Credit: WCNC WEATHER

Windiest

And the last superlative for the windiest month is a tie. Both March and April have constant breezes and are prime kite-flying seasons. Averaging a wind speed of 8.4 mph.

Related

Weather IQ: Difference between breezy and windy

The Best?

As for the best month, well, we will let you pick your favorite. If you like it hot, then July and August are your picks. And if you enjoy highs in the 70s, then April and October are more your jam. 

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