Weather & Climate in Clemson University, SC

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

Clemson University 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 721 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	721 ft (220 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density	3,035/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6756°N, 82.8352°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Anderson County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.4"

38% above US avg

Snowfall 2.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.94"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.13"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	87.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	37.3 / 100
Community Resilience	57.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

55 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	117 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	141 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	110 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	99 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	86 km	3 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	101 km	0 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	140 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	80 km	2 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	150 km	2 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	118 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	113 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	79 km	7 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	121 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	144 km	16 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	145 km	4 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	130 km	14 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	109 km	12 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	100 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	92 km	6 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	159 km

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

Tornado History

363 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 488 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	94 km	15.0 mi	2
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	93 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	71 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	24 km	16.7 mi	1
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	54 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	70 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	30 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	86 km	17.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	76 km	10.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	39 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	55 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	20 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	57 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	47 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	36 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	84 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	12 km	8.4 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	82 km	22.3 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	48 km	9.5 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	64 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	72 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	98 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	88 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	44 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	87 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	83 km
2009	UNNAMED	3,165	90 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	98 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	36 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	97 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	59 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	74 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	74 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	74 km
2023	TRAIL RIDGE FY23	2,085	88 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	89 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,998	88 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,911	74 km
2020	C-250 LC	1,887	91 km
2020	PARSONS MTN SOUTH LC	1,878	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	5.5 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	4.9 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.9 in	Wettest
April	60°F (15°C)	4.1 in	Driest
May	67°F (20°C)	4.9 in
June	74°F (24°C)	4.2 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.9 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.3 in
October	61°F (16°C)	4.3 in
November	52°F (11°C)	4.5 in
December	45°F (7°C)	4.8 in

Clemson University has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and April the driest (4.1").

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