The beginning of August is a great time for a relaxing family vacation before it is time for back-to-school and all of the hectic demands that go hand-in-hand with the beginning of each school year. Early August Sales Tax Holidays offer a good reason to plan a shopping trip to save a little extra on back-to-school supplies and other eligible items.
By late August, the family vacation scene begins to settle down a bit, making this a good time for couples to plan an escape to enjoy salty ocean breezes, romantic mountain hikes or hundreds of other fun summer getaways. Finally, Labor Day Weekend, which sometimes begins in August and always marks the perceived farewell to summer, is a great time to gather with family and friends for a long weekend, including a well-earned day off.
August Festivals and Events
From the coast to the mountains and beyond, enjoy the final month of the summer season at one or more of great August festivals and special summer events during your August vacation, weekend getaway or day-trip. Just a few of the highlights include the Virginia Highlands Festival in Abingdon, Virginia, Elvis Week in Memphis, some of the popular seasonal state and country fairs and the multi-state World's Longest Yardsale.
For many more fun events, visit this round up of selected August Festivals and Special Events. For Labor Day Weekend events and trip ideas, visit Labor Day Weekend in the Southeast.
August Weather
August weather in the Southeast, similar to July weather, continues to be hot and humid in most places on most days, High average temperatures tend to range in the upper 80s and low 90s with low average temperatures in the 60s and 70s in most areas. Temperatures in the mountains are often 5 to 10 degrees cooler than other areas and sea breezes keep the coastal areas slightly more comfortable than interior areas. Thunderstorms, sometimes severe, are not unusual. Visit August Weather Tables to find out about state-by-state average temperatures and average monthly rainfall in many popular southeastern destinations.
Hurricane Season - Remember that August falls within the hurricane season, which begins June 1 and lasts until November 30. August typically begins to see a dramatic increase in Atlantic Ocean hurricane activity with an increase in the risk that a hurricane may make landfall along the southeastern United States coast. Even though the probability of a hurricane making landfall at any specific point along the coast is fairly small, visitors to the Southeast during hurricane season should stay informed about weather events and be prepared to alter plans and evacuate if so ordered.
Atlantic Ocean Water Temperatures
Average August Atlantic Ocean water temperatures are usually a comfortable 77 to 78 degrees in Virginia, in the low 80 to 84 degree ranges in North Carolina and in the mid 80 degrees in South Carolina and Georgia, cooling by only a degree or so, if at all, in many spots by the end of the month.
Packing Basics for an August Visit
Pack for hot and humid weather and be prepared for occasional thunder storms with heavy downpours. Packing basics for your August visit to the Southeast should include:
- Lightweight and preferably loose fitting casual summer clothing
- A lightweight packable rain jacket
- Shorts and casual shirts
- Bathing suits and beach towels
- Flip flops and sandals for the beach
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes if you are planning to enjoy walking tours or hiking
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- A light cotton sweater for the rare cool evening
Like the other summer months, August is a great month for warm evening outdoor activities, and to set a special mood there is nothing like a beautiful full moon. This list of August full moons may help you choose your travel dates:
- August 6, 2009
- August 24, 2010
- August 13, 2011
- August 2, 2012
- August 31, 2012
- August 21, 2013
- August 10, 2014
- August 29, 2015
