Will SC get more rain or just extra heat this summer? Here’s the full season forecast
It seems blistering heat and rainy weather are in South Carolina’s future this summer, forecasts say.
Temperatures across the state have jumped significantly in recent weeks, but that’s just the start of what to expect in the coming months. Though many Americans consider Memorial Day weekend (May 24-26 this year) as the start of summer, the official first day of the summer solstice is June 20 for the Northern Hemisphere.
Both the National Weather Service and the Farmers’ Almanac have predicted above-average temperatures for the summer.
“More long-time high temperature records may be broken this year,” Farmers’ Almanac states.
NWS summer forecast
The NWS Climate Prediction Center calls for a 40% to 50% chance of South Carolina having above-normal temperatures in June, July and August.
Most of the state is also predicted to have a 40% to 50% chance of above-normal rainfall for June through August. However, the most northern parts of the Upstate may see a smaller 33% to 40% chance of rainfall this summer, the NWS predicts.
Farmers’ Almanac extended forecast
The Farmers’ Almanac summer weather forecast calls for above-average temperatures for most of the nation. However, it only expects higher-than-usual amounts of rainfall in the Southeast.
According to Farmers’ Almanac, South Carolina can expect more scattered showers and thunderstorms in June. From June 20 through June 23, muggy weather will be dominant. More scattered showers will round out the month.
Unfortunately, South Carolinians can expect big thunderstorms on July 4 this year. Much of the middle of July will be hot with a little rain, followed by more thunderstorms and hot temperatures to end the month.
Mostly fair skies are expected to start off August. However, Farmers’ Almanac predicts a hurricane threat between Aug. 8-11, starting from the Florida coast and then moving up along the Southeast coast.
More thunderstorms are expected for the Carolinas Aug. 16-19, followed by humid and showery weather and then scattered thunderstorms to end the month.
SC summer cooling costs & thermostat setting
Electricity bills in the U.S. are expected to spike to $784 in total on average for the summer — up 6.2% from $737 last year, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and the Center for Energy Poverty, and Climate. It’ll be the highest cost of electricity in at least 12 years. And adjusted for inflation, the increase will be about 4.3% over last year’s prices.
The organization calculated the increase using NOAA temperature data and EIA electric use and price data.
According to the prediction, South Carolinians will pay $842 in total cooling costs on average this summer. That’s a 6.3% increase from the $792 residents paid on average last summer.
The predicted South Carolina cost is also 7.4% higher than the expected $784 national average.
Thermostat
Running the air conditioner will always cost money, but setting it too low during the summer could cost you way more than you can afford to spend. Also, turning your AC too low in the summer can really put a strain on the system.
Carolina Comfort recommends homeowners set their thermostats to between 70 and 78 degrees in the summer.
“If you don’t mind digging in your pockets a little deeper, you can keep your AC at 70 degrees every day. If you want to save money, then you’ll start setting your thermostat a little higher,” Carolina Comfort states.
Every degree you increase in that range will save you an extra 3% on your electric bill, the company adds.
This story was originally published June 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
