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Weather & Climate in Hilton Head Island, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hilton Head Island enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 68°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. The area gets 323 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.
Temperature
51°F Jan (11°C)
83°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 67.8°F |
| 26% above US avg | |
| January Average | 51°F (11°C) |
| July Average | 83°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 323 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 41.4 sq mi (107.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 914/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.1903°N, 80.7384°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Beaufort County County |
| Nearest Airport | Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| 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 | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
35 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 | 104 km | 7 km |
| Jun 18, 2022 | 7 km E of Stillmore, Georgia | M3.9 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Apr 17, 1995 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.9 | 104 km | 8 km |
| Jul 13, 2003 | 6 km N of Cobbtown, Georgia | M3.6 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 24 km SSE of Kiawah Island, South Carolina | M3.5 | 78 km | 4 km |
| Nov 13, 1990 | 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M3.5 | 101 km | 3 km |
| Aug 29, 2009 | 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.2 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2004 | 7 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 98 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 109 km | 11 km |
| Mar 29, 1999 | 3 km NNW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M3.0 | 112 km | 11 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Mar 19, 2014 | 0 km WNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 104 km | 7 km |
| Mar 2, 2003 | 7 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.9 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Feb 7, 1990 | 9 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.9 | 96 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 2002 | 1 km NW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M2.9 | 110 km | 11 km |
| Jul 31, 2012 | 5 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.8 | 100 km | 8 km |
| May 12, 2010 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 100 km | 1 km |
| Jul 16, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 100 km | 7 km |
| Jan 11, 2002 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.7 | 100 km | 6 km |
| May 1, 2004 | 3 km ENE of Goose Creek, South Carolina | M2.7 | 113 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
23 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2024 | Helene | Category 4 | 138 mph | 262 km |
| 2023 | Idalia | Category 3 | 115 mph | 242 km |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 164 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 121 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 134 km |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 298 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 297 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 3 | 115 mph | 25 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 92 mph | 188 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 252 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 86 mph | 98 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 135 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 1 | — | 282 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 3 | 109 mph | 192 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 251 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 129 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 282 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 266 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 220 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 111 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
201 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 178 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF4 | 87 km | 14.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF4 | 77 km | 23.7 mi | 5 |
| Apr 9, 1998 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2017 | EF2 | 33 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 9, 2017 | EF2 | 79 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2015 | EF2 | 87 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2009 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2008 | EF2 | 75 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF2 | 58 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2003 | EF2 | 98 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | EF2 | 34 km | 18.0 mi | 1 |
| May 23, 1980 | EF2 | 36 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 1975 | EF2 | 59 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Nov 9, 1973 | EF2 | 39 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 1972 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 15, 1971 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1970 | EF2 | 22 km | 2.5 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 | — | — | 105 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (12,186 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 12,186 | 88 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 10,963 | 81 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 10,163 | 80 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,291 | 98 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 4,269 | 38 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,021 | 81 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,746 | 33 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,521 | 36 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 3,469 | 48 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,990 | 49 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,906 | 95 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,880 | 35 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,845 | 61 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,768 | 76 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,748 | 72 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 2,732 | 94 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,661 | 47 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,650 | 77 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,553 | 49 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 2,549 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 58°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 65°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 in | |
| July | 83°F (28°C) | 5.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 7.4 in | Wettest |
| September | 77°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | |
| October | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 60°F (15°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| December | 53°F (11°C) | 3.0 in |
Hilton Head Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 32°F / from 51°F in January to 83°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.4") and November the driest (2.5").