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Old Town Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour
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The Best Time to Visit Savannah
October wins. April is the spring answer. Every other month asks for a trade.
Written by Alex H., Travel editor and researcherUpdated September 2026
Come in October if you can: the normal high is 79°F, rain is relatively scarce and summer's punishment has ended. April gives nearly the same weather in spring. March brings the parade crush, summer brings heat and storms, September adds hurricane risk, and winter occasionally remembers that freezing exists.
Visiting basics
- Mildest months
- October (79°F/59°F) and April (78°F/55°F), each with 6.7 to 6.8 rain days
- Hottest and wettest
- July, 92°F normal high and 24.6 days at 90°F or above; June, 6.65 inches of rain
- Driest month
- November, 2.39 inches
- Hurricane season
- June 1 to November 30; peak September 10, most activity mid-August to mid-October
- Fullest week
- March 17 and the days around it (St. Patrick's Day parade)
- Facts checked
- September 1, 2026
Weather by month
| Month | Normal high | Normal low | Rain | Rain days | Days at 90°F+ | Nights at 32°F or below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 61°F | 40°F | 3.3 in | 8.5 | 0 | 8.6 |
| February | 65°F | 43°F | 2.8 in | 7.8 | 0 | 4.2 |
| March | 71°F | 49°F | 3.5 in | 7.9 | 0.1 | 1.5 |
| April | 78°F | 55°F | 3.4 in | 6.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 |
| May | 85°F | 63°F | 3.6 in | 7.3 | 7.1 | 0 |
| June | 90°F | 71°F | 6.7 in | 12.3 | 16.5 | 0 |
| July | 92°F | 74°F | 5.8 in | 12.4 | 24.6 | 0 |
| August | 91°F | 73°F | 5.5 in | 12.8 | 20.6 | 0 |
| September | 86°F | 69°F | 4.4 in | 9.9 | 9.6 | 0 |
| October | 79°F | 59°F | 3.7 in | 6.8 | 0.9 | 0 |
| November | 70°F | 48°F | 2.4 in | 6.8 | 0 | 1.4 |
| December | 64°F | 43°F | 3.2 in | 8.4 | 0 | 5.7 |
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals for Savannah International Airport, about ten miles from the Historic District, read from the agency's data file September 1, 2026. Rain days count 0.01 inch or more. The figures are averages, not a forecast.
The pattern is cleaner than the numbers look. Heat arrives in May and lingers through September. Rain follows it, usually as summer afternoon storms. Winter freezes happen, but snow is a historical anecdote rather than a planning problem.
Spring: lovely, except for the week that isn't
March and April are mild; March 17 and its surrounding days are anything but quiet. April has the best spring weather and the Music Festival. May is the hinge: 85°F days, the first regular 90s and the start of Tybee's lifeguard and nesting seasons. No authority promises an exact azalea week, so neither will I.
Summer: change the clock
Normal highs reach 90°F to 92°F, and afternoon storms are common. Walk before 11, spend the middle indoors or on the river, and go back outside after dark. Full sun can add up to 15°F to the heat index; at Fort Pulaski, carry water and take the warning seriously. On Tybee, fill beach holes before leaving during turtle season.
Fall: flexible first, excellent later
Hurricane season peaks around September 10 and stays most active into mid-October. A refundable room and readable cancellation policy are the sensible response. October is the payoff: 79°F days, cool nights and little heat. November is drier and quieter.
Winter: mild is not the same as warm
Expect days in the low 60s and nights in the low 40s, with occasional freezes. Closures matter more than snow: major sites and free transit shut on some holidays. February's Book Festival is the season's clearest reason to pick a date.
March 17: choose it on purpose
The parade happens on March 17 regardless of weekday and brings the year's biggest crowds. Cars are towed from the route early, chairs cannot appear until the allowed time, and garages charge the event rate. There are no event wristbands. Use the hotel and parking guides, then check the city's current schedule rather than recycling last year's clock.
Christmas: plan around what is open
December is mild on average and capable of both shirt sleeves and a freeze. The Holiday Tour of Homes has a confirmed December 12, 2026 date; other seasonal events belong on the itinerary only after their organizers post them. Check attraction and transit closures first.
What to book by season
Match the format to the weather, then confirm seasonal schedules and inclusions in the listing.
- Check availability →
Riverboat Sunset Cruise
★ 4.3 (799 reviews) · 2 hours · from $55
Deck time on the river at dusk in the April-to-October season, when the day's heat has passed.
See the catalog breakdown - Check availability →
Tybee Island Dolphin Tour
★ 4.7 (381 reviews) · 5.5 hours · from $80
The coast day in beach season, May through October, without driving or paying Tybee's $4-an-hour parking.
See the catalog breakdown - Check availability →
Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour
★ 4.7 (313 reviews) · 2 hours · from $35
A summer evening outdoors after the hot part of the day, between four bars over two hours.
See the catalog breakdown
Catalog prices and ratings can move. Checkout shows the final terms. These links may earn the site a commission at no extra cost to you.
Dates that actually exist
| When | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| February 4–7, 2027 | Savannah Book Festival | Free author talks all day on the Saturday; ticketed headliners Thursday, Friday and Sunday at the Lucas Theatre |
| March 6, 2026 | Greening of the Forsyth fountain | Noon, Forsyth Park; the first of the parade committee's public events |
| March 17, every year | St. Patrick's Day parade | In 2026 it stepped off at 10:15 a.m. from Gwinnett and Abercorn streets; the busiest days of the year |
| April 2–17, 2027 | Savannah Music Festival | Dates announced; program and venues not yet posted at this check |
| May 1 to October 31 | Tybee beach season | Lifeguards on duty 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; sea-turtle nesting from May 1, hatching from July |
| September 6, 2026 | Tybee Labor Day Beach Bash | 7–10 p.m. at the pier and pavilion, free; the city calendar lists it across September 5 and 6 |
| September 11–13 and 18–20, 2026 | Savannah Bananas at Grayson Stadium | Six home games, every one marked sold out on the team's schedule |
| September 18–20, 2026 | Savannah Jazz Festival | Forsyth Park; lawn chairs, coolers and blankets allowed; continues in rain |
| October 8–11, 2026 | Tybee Island Pirate Fest | Mid Beach, 403 Butler Avenue, hosted by the City of Tybee Island |
| December 12, 2026 | Holiday Tour of Homes and Inns | The Downtown Neighborhood Association's 51st tour, on an east-to-west route; tickets expected in early September |
Dates are from each organizer's own site, checked September 1, 2026. SCAD's Savannah Film Festival, the spring Tour of Homes and Gardens and any city tree lighting are left off; confirm those dates with the organizers.
How the season changes the trip
Book the crush weeks first
March 17 and the Savannah Music Festival fill rooms. September deserves a refundable booking and a close read of cancellation terms.
In summer, move the day
Walk before 11, go indoors after lunch and save the outdoor tour for evening. Drink before you feel thirsty.
Pack for the month, not the South
May through September needs water and sun protection. Winter nights can reach freezing, so bring a layer.
September needs flexibility
Hurricane activity peaks around September 10. A refundable room is more useful than optimism.
Holiday service shrinks
Major sites and the free transit system close on certain holidays. Check the exact date before building a day.
March 17 is its own trip
Cars are towed from the route, chairs have rules and garages charge event rates. Go for the parade or avoid the week.
The weather questions, quickly
What is the best month to visit?
October, by the 30-year normals: 79°F days, 59°F nights and fewer than seven rain days. April is the spring equivalent.
What is the rainy season?
Summer. June is wettest; November is driest. The usual summer pattern is an afternoon storm, not necessarily a lost day.
Is summer too hot?
It can be: July averages 92°F and nearly 25 days at 90°F or above. Walk early, go indoors midday and take outdoor tours after dark.
How many days do you need?
Two full days for the city and a third for the coast. In summer, keep the same outline but move it earlier.
When is hurricane season?
June 1 to November 30, peaking around September 10. For a September trip, book refundable lodging and read cancellation windows.
What is Christmas weather like?
Mild but erratic. December normally reaches 64°F by day, yet freezing nights do occur.
Does it snow?
Almost never. Normal annual snowfall is zero; the record one-day snow is 3.6 inches in 1968.
What happens on St. Patrick's Day?
The March 17 parade takes over the district. Expect towing zones, event parking rates, chair rules and the city's biggest crowds.
When do the azaleas bloom?
There is no official Forsyth or squares bloom date. Do not book around a confidently promised week.
When is beach season on Tybee?
Lifeguard season runs May 1 to October 31. Sea-turtle nesting starts in May and hatching begins in July.
What is March like?
Mild—71°F days and 49°F nights by the normals—but crowded around March 17. Outside parade week, March and April are excellent.
Which attractions close on holidays?
Fort Pulaski, Wormsloe, the lighthouse and public transit each close on some major holidays. Confirm the exact date before building the day.
My planning rule
Pick October if the dates can move, April if it must be spring, and treat March 17 as a yes-or-no decision. Summer belongs to early walks and late tours; September belongs to refundable bookings.
Bookable tours
Tours that fit different months
Indoor for a July afternoon, walking for October, river for spring, cemetery cart before the heat.
★ 4.8 (255)2 hoursfrom $25
Highlights & Hidden Gems Guided Walking Tour
Check availability →Free cancellation listed
★ 4.3 (1,324)1.5 hoursfrom $42
Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise
Check availability →Free cancellation listed
★ 4.9 (261)1 hourfrom $38
Bonaventure Cemetery Golf Cart Guided Tour
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★ 4.8 (632)3 hoursfrom $97
Historic District Foodie Walking Tour
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Primary sources
Checked September 1, 2026. Schedules, fees and policies can change, so recheck a linked source when the detail will affect your visit.
- NOAA NCEI: 1991–2020 monthly normals, Savannah International Airport (CSV) — the climate table
- National Weather Service Charleston: climate index for Savannah — records and holiday climatology
- NWS Charleston: Savannah daily extremes (PDF) — 105°F in 1986; 3°F in 1985
- NWS Charleston: Savannah annual extremes (PDF) — warmest year 2020
- NWS Charleston: St. Patrick's Day climatology (PDF) — average 69°F and 49°F
- NWS Charleston: Christmas Day climatology (PDF) — average 61°F and 42°F; 1989 snow
- NWS Charleston: Independence Day climatology (PDF) — average 90°F and 72°F
- NWS Charleston: local tropical cyclone history — landfalls near Savannah
- National Hurricane Center: tropical cyclone climatology — June 1 to November 30; peak September 10
- National Weather Service: heat index — caution, danger and extreme-danger ranges
- National Weather Service: heat safety — guidance during a heat wave
- National Park Service: Fort Pulaski safety — summer heat, gnats, mosquitoes
- City of Savannah: St. Patrick's Day in Savannah — 2026 parade time and start
- City of Savannah: parade committee events — greening, Celtic Cross, Jasper ceremony, Mass
- City of Savannah: St. Patrick's Day FAQs — no wristbands; to-go cup zone
- City of Savannah: St. Patrick's Day parade — towing from 12:01 a.m.; chairs after 5 p.m.
- Savannah Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee — March 17; about 280 units; 8 a.m. Mass
- Savannah Music Festival — April 2–17, 2027
- Savannah Book Festival — February 4–7, 2027
- Savannah Jazz Festival: 2026 lineup — September 18–20, 2026
- Savannah Bananas: schedule — September 2026 home games
- Tybee Island Pirate Fest — October 8–11, 2026
- Visit Tybee: Labor Day Beach Bash 2026 — September 6, 7–10 p.m.
- Downtown Neighborhood Association: Holiday Tour of Homes — December 12, 2026
- Tybee Island Marine Science Center: sea-turtle nesting season — May 1 start; hatching from July
- Visit Tybee: lifeguards and beach safety — May 1 to October 31
- Tybee Island Light Station: visitor information — closed parade day and five holidays
- National Park Service: Fort Pulaski basic information — closed three holidays
- Georgia State Parks: Wormsloe — closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
- City of Savannah: cemeteries general information — Colonial Park winter hours
- Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens: camellia trail — blooms October to March
- Chatham Area Transit: DOT shuttle — no service three holidays
Pick the month, then move the clock
The trip planner supplies the days; the hotel guide handles crush weeks; the Tybee guide handles beach season.
Disclosure: booking links go to GetYourGuide and may earn this site a commission at no extra cost to you. Commission never changes the rankings; see how Alex chooses.