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Weather & Climate in Bethune, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethune enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°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 46.7 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 279 feet.
Temperature
44°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.6°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 44°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 279 ft (85 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 383/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.4142°N, 80.3487°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Kershaw County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hartsville Regional (HVS) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 66.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 50.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 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 | 24 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 44 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 44 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 44 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 45 km | 4 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 66 km | 8 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 65 km | 2 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 78 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 44 km | 2 km |
| Mar 9, 2024 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.7 | 45 km | 3 km |
| Mar 27, 2009 | 1 km NW of Elko, South Carolina | M2.6 | 149 km | 2 km |
| Jan 5, 2022 | 5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.6 | 43 km | 0 km |
| Apr 26, 2025 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.6 | 45 km | 2 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.6 | 44 km | 2 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 4 km SW of Summit, South Carolina | M2.6 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Jan 3, 2022 | 5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina | M2.5 | 42 km | 2 km |
| Jan 24, 2019 | 6 km NNW of Jenkinsville, South Carolina | M2.5 | 89 km | 4 km |
| Sep 15, 2024 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.5 | 44 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 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 | 163 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 180 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 232 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 185 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 161 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 253 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 265 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 161 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 172 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 227 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 92 mph | 261 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 243 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 174 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 226 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 76 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 247 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 194 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
423 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 1,038 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 96 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 72 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 89 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 29 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 73 km | 40.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 43 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 61 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 32 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF3 | 71 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | EF3 | 27 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | EF3 | 96 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 97 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 70 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 99 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1980 | EF3 | 74 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 20 km | 77.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 77 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,322 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 5,322 | 61 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 69 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,481 | 71 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,094 | 11 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 70 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 98 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,650 | 94 km |
| 2008 | 05/05 RX BURN | 2,351 | 25 km |
| 2007 | 06-09 RX BURN | 2,054 | 22 km |
| 2022 | SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 2,039 | 16 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,989 | 80 km |
| 1998 | 981406 | 1,892 | 20 km |
| 1994 | CM 15 16 17 | 1,871 | 23 km |
| 1994 | COMP 1112 | 1,798 | 15 km |
| 1998 | 980803 | 1,780 | 25 km |
| 2000 | 2000 1003 | 1,768 | 18 km |
| 1999 | 19990505 | 1,756 | 26 km |
| 1992 | COMP 15 | 1,697 | 22 km |
| 2018 | SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14 | 1,687 | 19 km |
| 2012 | 4-NOV | 1,636 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 44°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 46°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 54°F (12°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 62°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Bethune has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 44°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and April the driest (3.0").