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Weather & Climate in Elko, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elko enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 308 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 46.2 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 336 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.9°F |
| 18% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 336 ft (102 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 189/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.3807°N, 81.3805°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Barnwell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Barnwell Regional (BNL) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
74 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 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 1992 | 1 km SSE of Centerville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 122 km | 7 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 141 km | 7 km |
| Apr 17, 1995 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.9 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Jun 18, 2022 | 7 km E of Stillmore, Georgia | M3.9 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 106 km | 3 km |
| Jul 13, 2003 | 6 km N of Cobbtown, Georgia | M3.6 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 106 km | 3 km |
| Nov 13, 1990 | 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M3.5 | 126 km | 3 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 117 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 106 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 31 km | 9 km |
| Aug 29, 2009 | 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.2 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia | M3.2 | 59 km | 13 km |
| Jul 20, 2004 | 7 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 115 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 117 km | 11 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 121 km | 2 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 81 km | 7 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 |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 293 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 203 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 222 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 239 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | 92 mph | 275 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 75 mph | 284 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 109 mph | 165 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 92 mph | 286 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 171 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 189 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 288 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 257 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 98 mph | 294 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 101 km |
| 1985 | Kate | Category 1 | 75 mph | 289 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 155 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 3 | 115 mph | 291 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
455 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 331 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF4 | 76 km | 23.7 mi | 5 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 35 km | 34.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 50 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 22 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 7 km | 35.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 32 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 11 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 19 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 81 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 44 km | 14.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 83 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF3 | 93 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2004 | EF3 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 72 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | EF3 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 63 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1983 | EF3 | 24 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1886 | CHARLESTON, SC | Earthquake | — | — | 139 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (8,427 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 8,427 | 21 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 5,322 | 89 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,897 | 85 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,772 | 85 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,481 | 96 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,968 | 21 km |
| 2021 | C-326/327 LC | 2,852 | 73 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,796 | 23 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,711 | 23 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,654 | 87 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,532 | 85 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,407 | 39 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,330 | 15 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,262 | 15 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,228 | 31 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,216 | 39 km |
| 2020 | C-56 RX BURN | 2,183 | 16 km |
| 2018 | C- 80 RX BURN | 2,173 | 23 km |
| 2022 | C-297 LC | 2,060 | 86 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,950 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 5.0 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 in |
Elko has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.1") and November the driest (2.7").