Weather & Climate in Arial, SC

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

Arial enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 301 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 56.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,025 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	60.6°F
	12% above US avg
January Average	42°F (5°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,025 ft (312 m)
Area	4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²)
Population Density	444/sq mi
Coordinates	34.8461°N, 82.6406°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Pickens County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.7"

49% above US avg

Snowfall 1.0"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.98"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.21"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	77.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	41.0 / 100
Community Resilience	45.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Very 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

55 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	125 km	5 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	145 km	25 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	149 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	131 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	90 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	98 km	3 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	84 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	150 km	14 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	80 km	2 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	125 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	143 km	7 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	125 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	87 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	79 km	7 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	122 km	12 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	122 km	4 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	130 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	149 km	16 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	139 km	14 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	136 km	3 km

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

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	142 km

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

Tornado History

354 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 16 fatalities, 471 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	70 km	15.0 mi	2
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	93 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	85 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	48 km	16.7 mi	1
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	73 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	91 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	48 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	91 km	17.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	77 km	10.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	21 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	36 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	17 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	75 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	23 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	14 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	61 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	88 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	72 km	22.3 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	14 km	8.4 mi	0
Jan 11, 2012	EF2	95 km	3.8 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	ROCK MOUNTAIN	25,224	82 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	100 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	97 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	79 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	24 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	91 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	96 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	90 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	99 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	85 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	50 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	89 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	95 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	85 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	82 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	89 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	89 km
2010	C-142 RX	2,149	99 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	89 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,024	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (5°C)	5.2 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	4.8 in
March	51°F (11°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	4.2 in	Driest
May	66°F (19°C)	5.0 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.7 in
July	79°F (26°C)	5.1 in	Warmest
August	76°F (24°C)	4.9 in
September	70°F (21°C)	4.3 in
October	59°F (15°C)	4.7 in
November	50°F (10°C)	4.5 in
December	43°F (6°C)	4.9 in

Arial has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 58.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.0") and April the driest (4.2").

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