Weather & Climate in Aiken, SC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Aiken enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 323 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. 89% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 515 feet.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)

Annual Average	63.9°F
	18% above US avg
January Average	45°F (7°C)
July Average	82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days	323 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	515 ft (157 m)
Area	20.7 sq mi (53.6 km²)
Population Density	1,487/sq mi
Coordinates	33.5316°N, 81.7251°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Aiken County County
Nearest Airport	Aiken Regional (AIK) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.76"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.80"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	89.1%
Unhealthy Days	0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	50.8 / 100
Community Resilience	33.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

47 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Feb 15, 2014	12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina	M4.1	47 km	5 km
Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	147 km	7 km
Jun 18, 2022	7 km E of Stillmore, Georgia	M3.9	126 km	1 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	116 km	3 km
Jul 13, 2003	6 km N of Cobbtown, Georgia	M3.6	139 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	116 km	3 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	109 km	5 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	82 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	116 km	4 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	115 km	4 km
Dec 7, 2009	4 km WNW of Deepstep, Georgia	M3.2	132 km	7 km
Aug 8, 1993	12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina	M3.2	14 km	9 km
Jun 20, 2017	6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia	M3.2	29 km	13 km
Apr 4, 2009	15 km N of Milledgeville, Georgia	M3.1	142 km	0 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	91 km	2 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	46 km	7 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	86 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	92 km	7 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	66 km	12 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	39 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

12 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2024	Helene	Category 1	92 mph	289 km
2022	Ian	Category 1	86 mph	236 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	258 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	275 km
2018	Michael	Category 3	92 mph	258 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	196 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	224 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	206 km
1999	Irene	Category 1	81 mph	291 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	132 km
1985	Bob	Category 1	75 mph	187 km
1985	Kate	Category 1	75 mph	281 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

455 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 410 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	77 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	99 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 5, 2022	EF3	75 km	13.3 mi	0
Apr 5, 2022	EF3	67 km	34.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	47 km	1.4 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	29 km	37.9 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	55 km	5.4 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	33 km	8.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	39 km	35.7 mi	2
Apr 10, 2009	EF3	63 km	26.3 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF3	50 km	17.7 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF3	18 km	14.6 mi	0
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	87 km	10.1 mi	0
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	78 km	27.5 mi	0
Dec 10, 2004	EF3	83 km	1.5 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	48 km	5.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	36 km	12.0 mi	1
Nov 2, 1995	EF3	66 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	62 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	64 km	8.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (8,427 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	UNNAMED	8,427	27 km
2014	UNNAMED	3,897	49 km
2019	UNNAMED	3,772	49 km
2009	UNNAMED	3,165	81 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,968	24 km
2021	C-326/327 LC	2,852	37 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,796	41 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,711	42 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,654	52 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,532	49 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,407	41 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,330	35 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,262	30 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,228	45 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,216	41 km
2020	C-56 RX BURN	2,183	35 km
2018	C- 80 RX BURN	2,173	42 km
2010	C-142 RX	2,149	100 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	84 km
2022	C-297 LC	2,060	50 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	45°F (7°C)	4.6 in	Coldest
February	48°F (9°C)	4.1 in
March	55°F (13°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
April	62°F (17°C)	3.2 in
May	70°F (21°C)	3.7 in
June	77°F (25°C)	4.7 in
July	82°F (28°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	4.7 in
September	74°F (23°C)	3.3 in
October	63°F (17°C)	3.1 in
November	54°F (12°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	47°F (8°C)	3.6 in

Aiken has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and November the driest (2.8").

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