Charlotte (KCLT) Temperature Market Guide
KCLT • Charlotte Douglas International Airport
IBKR Robinhood
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (KCLT) offers a ForecastEx temperature market in the heart of the North Carolina Piedmont. Located between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Atlantic coast, Charlotte experiences a humid subtropical climate with occasional dramatic temperature swings caused by cold air damming events. Understanding the interaction between mountain terrain and coastal influences is key to trading this market.
Quick Facts
| Station Code | KCLT |
|---|---|
| Location | Charlotte, NC |
| Coordinates | 35.2144°N, 80.9473°W |
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Timezone | ET (America/New_York) |
| NWS Office | Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) |
| Resolution Source | NWS CLI Report ↗ |
About the KCLT Weather Station
The KCLT ASOS is located at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, approximately 7 miles west of downtown Charlotte. At 748 feet elevation, the station sits on the rolling Piedmont plateau between the Appalachian Mountains to the west and the Atlantic Coastal Plain to the east.
The airport's position in the Piedmont is significant for weather forecasting. Cold air can become trapped against the mountains to the west during certain weather patterns, creating the phenomenon known as "cold air damming" that significantly affects temperatures.
The airport's position in the Piedmont is significant for weather forecasting. Cold air can become trapped against the mountains to the west during certain weather patterns, creating the phenomenon known as "cold air damming" that significantly affects temperatures.
Charlotte Climate & Temperature Patterns
Charlotte experiences a humid subtropical climate (Koppen: Cfa) with four distinct seasons. The city's Piedmont location creates interesting weather dynamics as it sits in a transition zone between mountain and coastal influences.
Key Climate Factors:
Cold Air Damming: During certain weather patterns, cold air becomes trapped between the Appalachian Mountains and advancing warm fronts. This "cold air damming" can keep Charlotte temperatures 10-20°F colder than forecast for extended periods.
Piedmont Position: Charlotte sits at the transition between the mountains and coast. Weather systems interact with this terrain in complex ways.
Urban Heat Island: The Charlotte metro area has experienced significant growth, creating an urban heat island effect that can elevate temperatures above surrounding rural areas.
Key Climate Factors:
Cold Air Damming: During certain weather patterns, cold air becomes trapped between the Appalachian Mountains and advancing warm fronts. This "cold air damming" can keep Charlotte temperatures 10-20°F colder than forecast for extended periods.
Piedmont Position: Charlotte sits at the transition between the mountains and coast. Weather systems interact with this terrain in complex ways.
Urban Heat Island: The Charlotte metro area has experienced significant growth, creating an urban heat island effect that can elevate temperatures above surrounding rural areas.
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Open Live DashboardSeasonal Trading Considerations
Winter (December - February):
Mild overall with average highs in the upper 40s to low 50s°F. Cold air damming events can bring extended periods of gray, cold weather with temperatures stuck in the 30s-40s°F. Ice storms are possible when warm air overruns cold surface air.
Spring (March - May):
Highly variable with potential for severe weather. Temperatures climb rapidly from the 60s to 80s°F. Late-season cold air damming can still occur through April.
Summer (June - August):
Hot and humid with average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, particularly in July and August. Heat waves can push temperatures into the mid-to-upper 90s°F.
Fall (September - November):
Pleasant with gradually cooling temperatures. Tropical systems occasionally affect Charlotte with heavy rain and cooler conditions. First frost typically arrives in late October to early November.
Mild overall with average highs in the upper 40s to low 50s°F. Cold air damming events can bring extended periods of gray, cold weather with temperatures stuck in the 30s-40s°F. Ice storms are possible when warm air overruns cold surface air.
Spring (March - May):
Highly variable with potential for severe weather. Temperatures climb rapidly from the 60s to 80s°F. Late-season cold air damming can still occur through April.
Summer (June - August):
Hot and humid with average highs in the upper 80s to low 90s°F. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, particularly in July and August. Heat waves can push temperatures into the mid-to-upper 90s°F.
Fall (September - November):
Pleasant with gradually cooling temperatures. Tropical systems occasionally affect Charlotte with heavy rain and cooler conditions. First frost typically arrives in late October to early November.
Charlotte-Specific Trading Tips
Watch for Cold Air Damming: This is Charlotte's most distinctive weather phenomenon. Look for northeast surface winds and a wedge of cold air trapped against the mountains. Models often struggle to predict the onset and breakdown of these events.
CAD Indicators: When you see surface winds from the northeast while upper-level flow is from the southwest, cold air damming is likely occurring or about to occur.
Thunderstorm Impacts: Summer afternoon storms can prevent temperatures from reaching their potential. Early or widespread convection suppresses highs significantly.
Mountain Influence: Weather systems moving from the west are modified by the Appalachians. This can affect precipitation type and amounts.
CAD Indicators: When you see surface winds from the northeast while upper-level flow is from the southwest, cold air damming is likely occurring or about to occur.
Thunderstorm Impacts: Summer afternoon storms can prevent temperatures from reaching their potential. Early or widespread convection suppresses highs significantly.
Mountain Influence: Weather systems moving from the west are modified by the Appalachians. This can affect precipitation type and amounts.
Market Resolution Details
Charlotte temperature markets resolve based on the official high temperature in the NWS CLI for station KCLT, issued by the Greenville-Spartanburg forecast office (GSP).
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Resolution Source: NWS CLI (Climatological Report)
Reporting Period: 12:00 AM to 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time.
Data Release Schedule
Typical release times for key data products at KCLT. Times shown in UTC.
| Data Type | Typical Time (UTC) | Variability |
|---|---|---|
| CLI Report Daily climatological summary |
07:43 UTC | ±7 min |
| 24hr High METAR with max temp |
04:52 UTC | ±1 min |
| METAR Hourly observations |
Hourly at :52 | ±0 min |
| DSM #1 Daily summary message |
12:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #2 Daily summary message |
21:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #3 Daily summary message |
20:17 UTC | Issuance time |
| DSM #4 Daily summary message |
20:19 UTC | Issuance time |
6-Hour High/Low Reports
These METARs include 6-hour maximum and minimum temperatures, useful for tracking intraday temperature trends.
05:52 UTC
11:52 UTC
17:52 UTC
23:52 UTC
Note: Times are approximate and may vary. CLI reports are the official resolution source for temperature markets. See NWS Data Guide for more information.
Data Resources
Quick links to official data sources and tools for Charlotte.
📊 NWS Data
🗄️ Iowa Environmental Mesonet
📈 Wethr.net Tools
Forecasting Challenges
Cold Air Damming Prediction: Determining when cold air damming will set up and when it will erode is extremely challenging. Small changes in the synoptic pattern can mean the difference between a 45°F day and a 65°F day.
Precipitation Type: During winter, the cold air damming setup can create complex precipitation type situations that affect temperatures.
Convective Timing: Summer thunderstorm coverage and timing significantly impacts daily highs but is difficult to predict precisely.
Precipitation Type: During winter, the cold air damming setup can create complex precipitation type situations that affect temperatures.
Convective Timing: Summer thunderstorm coverage and timing significantly impacts daily highs but is difficult to predict precisely.
Historical Temperature Records
Record High: 104°F recorded in July 2012 and August 2007.
Record Low: -5°F recorded in January 1985.
90°F+ Days: Charlotte averages about 45-50 days per year at or above 90°F.
Ice Storms: Charlotte is prone to significant ice storms during cold air damming events when warm, moist air overruns the cold surface layer.
Record Low: -5°F recorded in January 1985.
90°F+ Days: Charlotte averages about 45-50 days per year at or above 90°F.
Ice Storms: Charlotte is prone to significant ice storms during cold air damming events when warm, moist air overruns the cold surface layer.
📡 Official Data Sources
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