Weather & Climate in Finklea, SC

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

Finklea enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°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 50.9 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 79 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.8°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	79 ft (24 m)
Area	2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density	150/sq mi
Coordinates	34.0989°N, 78.9858°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Columbus County County
Nearest Airport	Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.9"

34% above US avg

Snowfall 1.2"

Wettest Month (Aug) 6.02"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.76"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	86.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	88.3 / 100
Community Resilience	23.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.

Jan 29, 1994	12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina	M2.9	111 km	2 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	112 km	8 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	111 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

25 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2022	Ian	Category 1	86 mph	91 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	50 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	127 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	55 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	67 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	127 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	211 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	135 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	191 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	135 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	42 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	262 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	158 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	97 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	193 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	119 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	91 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	99 km
1994	Gordon	Category 1	—	293 km
1991	Bob	Category 2	98 mph	294 km

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

Tornado History

371 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 53 fatalities, 1,094 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	34 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	82 km	40.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	93 km	17.0 mi	7
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	68 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	49 km	21.9 mi	3
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	74 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	82 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	60 km	10.7 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	29 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 17, 1965	EF3	42 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	88 km	21.9 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	36 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 3, 2020	EF2	99 km	8.3 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	68 km	4.6 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	53 km	9.3 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	52 km	13.1 mi	1
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	88 km	29.9 mi	3
Apr 25, 2010	EF2	87 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2010	EF2	98 km	0.6 mi	0
Apr 6, 2009	EF2	52 km	1.4 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HIGHWAY 31 (17,004 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	HIGHWAY 31	17,004	35 km
1997	UNNAMED	3,111	60 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	90 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,204	36 km
1993	UNNAMED	2,073	81 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	50 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,870	59 km
2008	UNNAMED	1,754	97 km
2010	UNNAMED	1,683	60 km
2002	LEGENDS	1,666	40 km
2016	CLEMMONS ROAD	1,468	76 km
1990	UNNAMED	1,335	49 km
1994	UNNAMED	1,178	100 km
2009	JOE BAY	1,124	61 km
2010	UNNAMED	1,109	90 km
2011	VALENTINE	1,083	89 km
1988	UNNAMED	1,077	35 km
1988	UNNAMED	1,005	36 km
2005	UNNAMED	1,002	95 km
2024	HORSESHOE LAKE	990	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	47°F (9°C)	3.6 in
March	55°F (13°C)	4.3 in
April	62°F (17°C)	2.9 in
May	70°F (21°C)	4.3 in
June	76°F (25°C)	5.1 in
July	80°F (27°C)	6.0 in	Warmest
August	79°F (26°C)	6.0 in	Wettest
September	74°F (23°C)	4.6 in
October	64°F (18°C)	2.8 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	48°F (9°C)	3.4 in

Finklea has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.0") and November the driest (2.8").

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