Weather & Climate in Hickory Grove, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hickory Grove enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 46. 62% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 646 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.9°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 646 ft (197 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 331/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.9785°N, 81.4181°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | York County County |
| Nearest Airport | Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 46.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 62.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 71.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 93 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 110 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 110 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 110 km | 4 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 144 km | 3 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 86 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 99 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 83 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 141 km | 7 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 134 km | 9 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 100 km | 1 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 99 km | 7 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 133 km | 4 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 109 km | 2 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 147 km | 1 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 277 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 293 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 75 mph | 297 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 92 mph | 277 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 277 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 249 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 42 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
436 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 606 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 7, 1998 | EF4 | 99 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 63 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 57 km | 14.0 mi | 4 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 48 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 88 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 68 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 86 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 89 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 40 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 37 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 67 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 73 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 91 km | 17.3 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 95 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 78 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 56 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2020 | EF2 | 89 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 22 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 52 km | 3.0 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 | 93 km |
| 2016 | CHESTNUT KNOB | 6,418 | 75 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 32 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 4,610 | 82 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 62 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 64 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 48 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 58 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 51 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 47 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 47 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 51 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 58 km |
| 2010 | C-142 RX | 2,149 | 66 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 51 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,000 | 56 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,964 | 34 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,918 | 27 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,897 | 66 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,879 | 66 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 65°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 4.0 in |
Hickory Grove has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (3.1").