Does it snow in Myrtle Beach? – Everything You Need To Know (2024)

Myrtle is a coastal city located in the middle of the 97-kilometres long Grand Strand beach in South Carolina. The city is a popular tourist destination both in South Carolina and the U.S., attracting over 20 million visitors every year. Myrtle Beach covers an area of 61.56 square kilometres and a population of 35,000, making it the 13^th most populous city in North Carolina. But does it snow in Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach experiences a humid subtropical climate that is characteristic of the South Atlantic Coast. Summers in the city are long, hot, and humid, while winters are short, mild, and windy. The city basks in the sunshine even during the winter season and records temperatures ranging from highs of 91 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Fahrenheit) to lows of 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius). Snow is a rare feature in Myrtle Beach, and the city has no systematic snowfall record.

Snowfall in Myrtle Beach

Owing to the lack of official snowfall climatology records for Myrtle Beach, it is hard to determine the frequency and depth of snowfall that occasionally graces the city. The reason behind the city’s infrequent and widely spaced snow events is that the moist winds blowing through the city tend to be warm.

Since 1940, Myrtle Beach has witnessed a total snow accumulation of 76.9 inches (1,1953 millimetres), giving it an annual mean snowfall of about 1 inch (25.4 millimetres). The months that snow is likely to fall in Myrtle Beach are December through March. And statistically speaking, January is the snowiest month in Myrtle Beach, with 42% of the city’s snow events occurring during the month.

Over the years, Myrtle Beach has witnessed some significant snowfall events that left massive snow accumulations in the city. For instance, between December 22-24, 1989, a severe snowstorm hit the city and left behind 14 inches (355.6 millimetres) of snow. Other significant snow events in Myrtle Beach occurred on February 10, 1973, and March 25, 1983, when 9 inches (228.6 millimetres) and 7 inches (177.8 millimetres) of snow fell in the city, respectively. The latest major snowfall event in Myrtle Beach occurred in February 2010 and left a snow accumulation of 2.8 inches (71 millimetres) in the city.

Summers in Myrtle Beach

The summer season in Myrtle Beach starts in May and lasts through to September. During this time, the average temperatures in the city range from highs of 87.4 degrees Fahrenheit (30.8 degrees Celsius) to lows of 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). July is the hottest month in the city, with daily mean temperatures of 79.5 degrees Fahrenheit (26.4 degrees Celsius).

Afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence in Myrtle Beach in summer. Tornadoes and tropical cyclones are rare in the city but usually occur in summer. The summer period also happens to coincide with Myrtle Beach’s rainy season, and about 50% of the city’s annual precipitation is recorded during this period.

Winters in Myrtle Beach

Winters in Myrtle Beach start in December and last through to February. During this period, temperatures in the city are mild and average between highs of 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) and lows of 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius). The temperatures, however, fluctuate greatly, with some cold days seeing highs of 48.2 degrees Fahrenheit (9 degrees Celsius) while others see highs of 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit (23 degrees Celsius).

What to do in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach’s warm climate, 1800+ restaurants, 86 golf courses, and miles of sandy beaches are natural magnets that draw all kinds of people to the city. The city’s allure transcends simple tourism and has attracted many people to settle in the ever-expanding Myrtle Beach metropolitan area.

That aside, Myrtle Beach promises lots of fun and adventure for those who dare to and dream of visiting the city. Some of the activities you can engage in while at this fairy destination include:

Revel in nature

If one of the reasons that prompted you to visit Myrtle Beach is the city’s subtropical climate, then there is no need to go back without basking in the balmy Myrtle Beach weather. You can engage in several outdoor activities such as horseback tours, visiting the city’s natural parks, and golfing in award-winning golf courses.

Hit the waters

It is not every day that you dock on the waters of the South Atlantic. As such, you should use this opportunity to engage in several water activities such as swimming, surfing and going on boat cruises. If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can hitch your sails and go parasailing or even jet skiing.

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