Clemson climate
Warm summers and heavy rain call for shade and drainage
NOAA's Clemson University station 1991-2020 normals show a 61.5 degree Fahrenheit annual mean, 52.38 inches of annual precipitation, 2.2 inches of snow, and a 91.0 degree July average high. January averages 53.4 degrees for the high and 32.5 for the low.
The station represents the university area. Review shade, cooling, humidity, heavy rain, roof, drainage, sidewalks, power, and the route to care rather than applying the station to every block.
Living through the seasons
Summer and winter comfort tell a similar story.
- Overall Comfort
- Good
2.8 / 5
- Average Summer High
- 89°F
- Days Above 90°F
- 44 days/year
- Summer Feel
- Very Good
Warm · 89°F
Good
3.4 / 5
- Average Winter Low
- 35°F / 2°C
- Days Below Freezing
- 46 days/year
- Winter Feel
- Good
Very Good
Good
2.9 / 5
The shape of the year
Humidity, comfortable months, and sunshine show how the seasons differ.
- Humidity
- 76%
- Comfortable Months
- 5 months
- Solar Exposure
- 1674 peak sun hrs/yr
Good
Fair
Fair
Air, allergies, and weather
Air quality and allergies shape day to day comfort. The best months and weather risks help with timing.
Air and allergies
- Air Quality
- Excellent
- Allergy Levels
- Poor
4.7 / 5
Current AQI
Checking…
Current PM2.5
Checking…
Timing and weather
- Long Term Fine Particle Pollution
- 6.4 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average
- Best Months
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Toughest Months
- Jul, Jan, Aug
- Heat Risk
- Moderate
- Drought Risk
- Low
- Weather Volatility
- Strong
Good · 6.4 µg/m³ 2021-2025 modeled average
Good
3.5 / 5
Clemson in everyday life
Could Clemson work for you?
What may work well
- NOAA provides station-specific 1991-2020 normals.
- The city and university area offer many indoor and outdoor choices.
What to think about
- Station conditions do not describe every neighborhood.
- Heat, humidity, heavy rain, and power need attention.
Choose Clemson for the whole year
Inspect heating and cooling
Review HVAC, insulation, windows, shade, roof, filters, and power.
Price wet-weather needs
Ask about drainage, gutters, roof, sidewalks, covered parking, insurance, and storm routes.
Keep indoor options
Pair parks and arts with meals, calls, exercise, museums, and activities indoors during heat or rain.
Questions retirees ask
Does Clemson get snow?
The Clemson University station's 1991-2020 normals show 2.2 inches of annual snowfall on average. Averages do not remove the need to plan for occasional cold or road conditions.
What should I inspect before buying?
Review cooling, shade, insulation, roof, gutters, drainage, sidewalks, power, parking, and the route to care during heat or heavy rain.
Clemson offers a generally warm Upstate climate, but the sustainable home still needs shade, cooling, drainage, storm access, power, and comfortable routes.
Sources
Climate comfort helps estimate how practical daily life may feel across the year, especially for heat, humidity, cold, and seasonal constraints.
Seasonal timing, health conditions, air conditioning, air quality, and elevation can change the lived experience.
- NASA POWER
Used for Overall Comfort, Summer Feel, Winter Feel, Humidity, Comfortable Months, Solar Exposure, Best Months, Toughest Months, Allergy Levels
- NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network Daily
Used for Average Summer High, Days Above 90°F, Average Winter Low, Days Below Freezing, Heat Risk
Checked 2026-07-08
- Open-Meteo / Copernicus CAMS, checked against U.S. EPA AirData
Used for Air Quality, Long-Term Fine-Particle Pollution
Checked 2026-05-18
- Federal Emergency Management Agency National Risk Index
Used for Drought Risk
- NOAA IBTrACS
Used for Weather Volatility
Partnerships never affect rankings, scores, methodology, or inclusion.
Partner with Retirement ListsResearch and writing byGrant Gibson
How this city research is made
Retirement Lists uses documented public sources and methods to research, review, and correct city information. Read our Editorial Policy.
