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Weather & Climate in Chesnee, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chesnee enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°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 51.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 889 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.7°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 889 ft (271 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 751/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.1462°N, 81.8630°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cherokee County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 63.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 26.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very 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 Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
47 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 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 137 km | 7 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 139 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 128 km | 1 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 108 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 98 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 43 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 84 km | 2 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 133 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 95 km | 4 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 117 km | 3 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 102 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 36 km | 6 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 43 km | 9 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 | 288 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 85 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
376 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 20 fatalities, 452 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 92 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 10 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 44 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 100 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 65 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 72 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 67 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 52 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 94 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 98 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2020 | EF2 | 56 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 76 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 41 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 13 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 23 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 71 km | 22.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 92 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 24 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2012 | EF2 | 67 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | BRUSHY RIDGE | 12,405 | 80 km |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 50 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 79 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 76 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 56 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 64 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 67 km |
| 2022 | LOST BEAR RX FY2022 | 4,276 | 70 km |
| 2017 | WHITE CREEK | 4,166 | 77 km |
| 2016 | CLEAR CREEK | 3,493 | 68 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 77 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,976 | 83 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 80 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 78 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 66 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 80 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 60 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 64 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 80 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 43°F (6°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 51°F (11°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in |
Chesnee has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.3") and April the driest (3.6").