Weather & Climate in Gaffney, SC

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

Gaffney enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°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 50.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 735 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	735 ft (224 m)
Area	8.3 sq mi (21.5 km²)
Population Density	1,391/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0736°N, 81.6615°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cherokee County County
Nearest Airport	Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.4"

33% above US avg

Snowfall 4.0"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.04"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	69.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.0 / 100
Community Resilience	26.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

44 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	145 km	5 km
Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	118 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	132 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	132 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	148 km	1 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	132 km	4 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	140 km	3 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	133 km	4 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	123 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	96 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	96 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	60 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	97 km	2 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	143 km	7 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	118 km	1 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	121 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	96 km	7 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	112 km	4 km
Feb 12, 2021	8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee	M2.8	133 km	3 km
May 10, 2022	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.8	131 km	2 km

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

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	299 km
1996	Fran	Category 1	75 mph	270 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	66 km

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

Tornado History

413 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 529 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 7, 1998	EF4	92 km	4.0 mi	0
May 5, 1989	EF4	45 km	14.0 mi	4
May 5, 1989	EF4	86 km	13.0 mi	1
May 5, 1989	EF4	24 km	15.0 mi	2
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	84 km	21.0 mi	5
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	94 km	27.5 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	51 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	55 km	18.5 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	90 km	12.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	87 km	19.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	97 km	17.3 mi	1
May 27, 1973	EF3	78 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	62 km	22.7 mi	2
May 5, 2020	EF2	79 km	14.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	70 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	92 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	25 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	78 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	32 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	8 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: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	91 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	69 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	96 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	87 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	61 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	47 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	71 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	87 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	87 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	83 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	67 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	92 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	70 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	63 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	59 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	65 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	50 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	53 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	65 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	59 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	4.3 in	Coldest
February	44°F (6°C)	4.2 in
March	51°F (11°C)	5.0 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	3.3 in	Driest
May	67°F (19°C)	4.3 in
June	75°F (24°C)	4.3 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.5 in
September	71°F (22°C)	3.9 in
October	60°F (15°C)	3.9 in
November	51°F (10°C)	3.5 in
December	43°F (6°C)	4.0 in

Gaffney has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and April the driest (3.3").

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