Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bennettsville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 310 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 41.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 135 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
63.4°F
17% above US avg
January Average
45°F (7°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
310 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
135 ft (41 m)
Area
6.2 sq mi (16.0 km²)
Population Density
1,100/sq mi
Coordinates
34.6282°N, 79.6860°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Marlboro County County
Nearest Airport
Hartsville Regional (HVS) 29 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.7"
10% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)5.24"
Driest Month (Apr)2.76"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
57.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
97.8 / 100
Community Resilience
17.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.9.
Apr 13, 1998
9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina
M3.9
86 km
7 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.6
109 km
3 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.5
109 km
3 km
Jun 26, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.4
108 km
4 km
May 9, 2022
5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.3
109 km
4 km
Jun 5, 1998
4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina
M3.2
144 km
9 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
26 km
8 km
Feb 18, 2005
7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina
M2.9
143 km
1 km
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
96 km
2 km
May 10, 2022
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.8
108 km
2 km
Mar 9, 2024
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.7
109 km
3 km
Apr 26, 2025
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
109 km
2 km
May 10, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
108 km
2 km
Jan 5, 2022
5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.6
107 km
0 km
Jan 3, 2022
5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.5
106 km
2 km
Sep 15, 2024
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.5
108 km
2 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
146 km
4 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
24 km
14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2022
Ian
Category 1
81 mph
154 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
136 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
212 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
137 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
141 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
214 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
280 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
217 km
2004
Alex
Category 1
81 mph
277 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
181 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
129 km
2003
Isabel
Category 1
75 mph
277 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
180 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
280 km
1999
Irene
Category 1
92 mph
240 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
184 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
110 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
177 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
130 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
284 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
374 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 1,485 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
62 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
6 km
17.0 mi
7
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
22 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
87 km
4.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
8 km
40.0 mi
4
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
82 km
121.4 mi
4
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
45 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
66 km
52.9 mi
2
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
86 km
65.2 mi
6
Sep 7, 2004
EF3
91 km
7.0 mi
0
Oct 18, 1990
EF3
99 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
78 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
31 km
10.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
86 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
47 km
77.3 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
89 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
30 km
21.9 mi
0
Mar 31, 2022
EF2
73 km
7.2 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
39 km
0.2 mi
0
Jan 11, 2020
EF2
80 km
0.6 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (3,968 acres, 1991).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1991
UNNAMED
3,968
18 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,094
57 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,743
21 km
2008
05/05 RX BURN
2,351
51 km
2007
06-09 RX BURN
2,054
51 km
2022
SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
2,039
56 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,989
61 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
58 km
1998
981406
1,892
49 km
1994
CM 15 16 17
1,871
45 km
2021
SLATES CHURCH FIRE
1,824
43 km
1994
COMP 1112
1,798
57 km
1998
980803
1,780
47 km
2000
2000 1003
1,768
53 km
1999
19990505
1,756
51 km
2016
COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE
1,704
45 km
1992
COMP 15
1,697
48 km
2018
SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14
1,687
50 km
2012
4-NOV
1,636
50 km
1993
UNNAMED
1,623
51 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
45°F (7°C)
4.1 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
3.6 in
March
54°F (12°C)
4.3 in
April
62°F (17°C)
2.8 in
Driest
May
69°F (21°C)
3.5 in
June
77°F (25°C)
4.5 in
July
81°F (27°C)
5.2 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
79°F (26°C)
4.9 in
September
73°F (23°C)
3.7 in
October
62°F (17°C)
3.2 in
November
54°F (12°C)
2.8 in
December
46°F (8°C)
3.2 in
Bennettsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and April the driest (2.8").