Weather & Climate in Arkwright, SC

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

Arkwright enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°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 50.2 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 744 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	61.2°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	744 ft (227 m)
Area	2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density	1,128/sq mi
Coordinates	34.9150°N, 81.9387°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Spartanburg County County
Nearest Airport	Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.2"

32% above US avg

Snowfall 0.8"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.24"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.46"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	90.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	39.7 / 100
Community Resilience	57.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

59 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	123 km	5 km
Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	132 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	139 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	139 km	3 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	113 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	139 km	4 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	133 km	1 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	139 km	4 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	113 km	0 km
Aug 8, 1993	12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina	M3.2	150 km	9 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	127 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	71 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	65 km	9 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	121 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	108 km	2 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	141 km	9 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	117 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	71 km	7 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	138 km	14 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	117 km	4 km

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

Hurricane History

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

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1996	Fran	Category 1	75 mph	297 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	80 km

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

Tornado History

423 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 550 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	18 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	70 km	14.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	83 km	21.0 mi	5
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	82 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	78 km	27.5 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	50 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	83 km	18.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	81 km	19.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	92 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	75 km	10.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	82 km	17.3 mi	1
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	90 km	17.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	48 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	31 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	81 km	6.3 mi	0
May 5, 2020	EF2	91 km	14.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	41 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	67 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	56 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	8 km	3.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PARTY ROCK (8,572 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	68 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	73 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	82 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	52 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	94 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	92 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	91 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	54 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	58 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	63 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	43 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	63 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	39 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	44 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	63 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	43 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	91 km
2010	C-142 RX	2,149	59 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,024	45 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,000	45 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.5 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	4.3 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.2 in	Wettest
April	60°F (15°C)	3.5 in	Driest
May	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.2 in
July	79°F (26°C)	4.4 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.0 in
October	60°F (16°C)	4.1 in
November	51°F (11°C)	3.7 in
December	43°F (6°C)	4.0 in

Arkwright has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (3.5").

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