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Weather & Climate in Florence, SC

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

Florence enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°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 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. 64% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 125 feet.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.7°F
20% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation125 ft (38 m)
Area20.9 sq mi (54.1 km²)
Population Density1,620/sq mi
Coordinates34.1789°N, 79.7922°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyFlorence County County
Nearest AirportFlorence Regional (FLO)
4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.3"
19% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul) 5.35"
Driest Month (Nov) 2.72"

Air Quality

AQI Median44.0
RatingGood
Good Days %64.1%
Unhealthy Days0

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability70.8 / 100
Community Resilience75.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Relatively High
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Aug 21, 1992 1 km SSE of Centerville, South Carolina M4.1 137 km 7 km
Apr 13, 1998 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina M3.9 81 km 7 km
Apr 17, 1995 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina M3.9 136 km 8 km
Jun 29, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.6 86 km 3 km
Nov 13, 1990 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina M3.5 141 km 3 km
Jun 29, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.5 86 km 3 km
Jun 26, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.4 86 km 4 km
May 9, 2022 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina M3.3 86 km 4 km
Aug 29, 2009 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina M3.2 132 km 5 km
May 5, 2003 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina M3.1 130 km 11 km
Jul 20, 2004 7 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina M3.1 141 km 10 km
Jul 26, 2002 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina M3.0 130 km 10 km
Mar 29, 1999 3 km NNW of Sangaree, South Carolina M3.0 128 km 11 km
Mar 19, 2014 0 km WNW of Centerville, South Carolina M3.0 136 km 7 km
Mar 21, 2011 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina M2.9 72 km 8 km
Jan 29, 1994 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina M2.9 49 km 2 km
Feb 7, 1990 9 km S of Centerville, South Carolina M2.9 145 km 9 km
Mar 2, 2003 7 km S of Centerville, South Carolina M2.9 143 km 7 km
Jul 7, 2002 1 km NW of Sangaree, South Carolina M2.9 130 km 11 km
Feb 18, 2005 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina M2.9 122 km 1 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

21 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 112 km
2020 Isaias Category 1 92 mph 123 km
2019 Dorian Category 3 115 mph 178 km
2018 Florence Category 2 98 mph 130 km
2016 Matthew Category 2 98 mph 105 km
2014 Arthur Category 2 98 mph 195 km
2011 Irene Category 1 86 mph 285 km
2005 Ophelia Category 1 86 mph 209 km
2004 Alex Category 1 81 mph 247 km
2004 Gaston Category 1 75 mph 132 km
2004 Charley Category 1 81 mph 108 km
1999 Floyd Category 2 104 mph 171 km
1999 Dennis Category 2 104 mph 255 km
1999 Irene Category 1 92 mph 207 km
1998 Bonnie Category 3 115 mph 193 km
1996 Fran Category 3 115 mph 151 km
1996 Bertha Category 2 104 mph 169 km
1989 Hugo Category 4 138 mph 89 km
1986 Charley Category 1 75 mph 294 km
1985 Bob Category 1 75 mph 230 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

395 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 970 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995 EF4 41 km 0.7 mi 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 46 km 7.0 mi 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 86 km 4.0 mi 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 53 km 17.0 mi 7
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 53 km 40.0 mi 4
Apr 8, 1957 EF4 88 km 121.4 mi 4
Apr 8, 1957 EF4 78 km 0.8 mi 0
Apr 15, 2007 EF3 78 km 19.0 mi 1
Sep 7, 2004 EF3 73 km 7.0 mi 0
May 20, 1980 EF3 31 km 10.7 mi 0
Apr 18, 1969 EF3 41 km 77.3 mi 0
Nov 24, 1967 EF3 60 km 3.3 mi 0
Aug 29, 1964 EF3 77 km 21.9 mi 0
Apr 5, 2022 EF2 68 km 2.8 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 80 km 0.2 mi 0
Jan 11, 2020 EF2 73 km 0.6 mi 0
Apr 19, 2019 EF2 83 km 2.9 mi 0
Apr 25, 2010 EF2 24 km 0.6 mi 0
Apr 25, 2010 EF2 16 km 3.0 mi 0
Nov 14, 2008 EF2 49 km 1.5 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 144 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

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 96 km
2009 UNNAMED 5,322 96 km
1991 UNNAMED 3,968 67 km
2010 UNNAMED 3,759 85 km
2001 UNNAMED 3,481 76 km
1997 UNNAMED 3,111 79 km
1991 UNNAMED 3,094 57 km
1985 UNNAMED 2,743 70 km
1992 UNNAMED 2,650 71 km
2014 UNNAMED 2,567 95 km
2008 05/05 RX BURN 2,351 65 km
2008 MATTASSEE LAKE 1 2,268 84 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,124 95 km
2007 06-09 RX BURN 2,054 62 km
2022 SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE 2,039 61 km
2007 LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX 1,944 79 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,920 85 km
2002 MONKEY FACE 1,906 94 km
1998 981406 1,892 56 km
1994 CM 15 16 17 1,871 54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 47°F (8°C) 4.1 in Coldest
February 47°F (9°C) 3.5 in
March 55°F (13°C) 4.3 in
April 63°F (17°C) 2.8 in
May 70°F (21°C) 3.5 in
June 77°F (25°C) 4.6 in
July 82°F (28°C) 5.4 in Warmest, Wettest
August 79°F (26°C) 5.1 in
September 74°F (23°C) 3.7 in
October 63°F (17°C) 3.0 in
November 55°F (13°C) 2.7 in Driest
December 47°F (8°C) 3.3 in

Florence has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 47°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.4") and November the driest (2.7").

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