Weather & Climate in Central, SC

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

Central enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°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 52.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 884 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	884 ft (269 m)
Area	3.3 sq mi (8.4 km²)
Population Density	1,630/sq mi
Coordinates	34.7234°N, 82.7747°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Pickens County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 7 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.4"

38% above US avg

Snowfall 2.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.87"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.02"

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

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	119 km	5 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	143 km	25 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	144 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	116 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	96 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	89 km	3 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	96 km	0 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	144 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	79 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	148 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	105 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	143 km	2 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	119 km	7 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	78 km	7 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	124 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	146 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	138 km	4 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	132 km	14 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	112 km	12 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	95 km	1 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	153 km

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

Tornado History

362 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 470 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	87 km	15.0 mi	2
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	92 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	74 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	31 km	16.7 mi	1
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	59 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	76 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	34 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	86 km	17.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	75 km	10.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	32 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	49 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	15 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	62 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	40 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	29 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	77 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	5 km	8.4 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	78 km	22.3 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	56 km	9.5 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	66 km	6.7 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	74 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	98 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	90 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	96 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	37 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	88 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	85 km
2009	UNNAMED	3,165	93 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	93 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	39 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	99 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	93 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	66 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	78 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	78 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	78 km
2023	TRAIL RIDGE FY23	2,085	93 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	92 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,000	97 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,998	93 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	5.4 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	4.8 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.9 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	4.0 in	Driest
May	67°F (20°C)	4.7 in
June	74°F (24°C)	4.1 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.8 in
September	71°F (22°C)	4.2 in
October	60°F (16°C)	4.3 in
November	51°F (11°C)	4.4 in
December	43°F (6°C)	4.7 in

Central has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and April the driest (4.0").

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