Weather & Climate in Fairforest, SC

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

Fairforest enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°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 49.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 785 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.3°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	785 ft (239 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.4 km²)
Population Density	819/sq mi
Coordinates	34.9471°N, 82.0182°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Greenville County County
Nearest Airport	Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.7"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 3.9"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.31"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.54"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	94.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	21.9 / 100
Community Resilience	57.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

58 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	126 km	5 km
Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	140 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	147 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	147 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	147 km	4 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	114 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	125 km	1 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	147 km	4 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	105 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	131 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	74 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	60 km	9 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	124 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	104 km	2 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	124 km	1 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	139 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	74 km	7 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	141 km	14 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	111 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	134 km	12 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	88 km

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

Tornado History

412 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 546 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	71 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	17 km	15.0 mi	2
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	91 km	21.0 mi	5
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	85 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	83 km	27.5 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	58 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	89 km	18.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	89 km	19.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	89 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	92 km	17.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	77 km	10.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	87 km	17.3 mi	1
May 27, 1973	EF3	42 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	27 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	75 km	6.3 mi	0
May 5, 2020	EF2	99 km	14.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	35 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	59 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	61 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	32 km	4.9 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PARTY ROCK (8,572 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	62 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	65 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	98 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	82 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	60 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	93 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	86 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	100 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	86 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	61 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	64 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	71 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	49 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	71 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	46 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	51 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	71 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	49 km
2013	LOST BEAR EAST	2,167	86 km
2010	C-142 RX	2,149	65 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.5 in	Coldest
February	44°F (7°C)	4.3 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.3 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	3.5 in	Driest
May	67°F (20°C)	4.5 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.2 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.2 in
September	71°F (22°C)	3.9 in
October	60°F (16°C)	4.1 in
November	51°F (10°C)	3.8 in
December	43°F (6°C)	4.0 in

Fairforest has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.3") and April the driest (3.5").

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