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Weather & Climate in Lancaster, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lancaster enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°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 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 455 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.9°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 455 ft (139 m) |
| Area | 7.2 sq mi (18.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,214/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.7261°N, 80.7790°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lancaster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Charlotte/Douglas International (CLT) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 33 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 63 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 62 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 62 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 63 km | 4 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 92 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 130 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 113 km | 2 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 74 km | 1 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 87 km | 8 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 131 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 62 km | 2 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 145 km | 9 km |
| Jan 7, 1992 | 5 km NNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M2.7 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina | M2.7 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Mar 9, 2024 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.7 | 63 km | 3 km |
| May 31, 2021 | 4 km SW of Summit, South Carolina | M2.6 | 111 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 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 | 215 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 229 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 285 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 233 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 213 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 214 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 221 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 275 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 284 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 197 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 277 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 30 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 282 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 241 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
437 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 26 fatalities, 535 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 29 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 26 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 80 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 63 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 95 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 21 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | EF3 | 54 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 69 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 54 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 30 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 74 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 69 km | 77.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 65 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2020 | EF2 | 27 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 88 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2020 | EF2 | 77 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 11, 2020 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BURNING UNIT (5,567 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 60 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 5,322 | 77 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 94 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 88 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,094 | 52 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 87 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 94 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 61 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 94 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 64 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 85 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 80 km |
| 2008 | 05/05 RX BURN | 2,351 | 50 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 64 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 94 km |
| 2010 | C-142 RX | 2,149 | 89 km |
| 2007 | 06-09 RX BURN | 2,054 | 51 km |
| 2022 | SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 2,039 | 50 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 84 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,000 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.4 in |
Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (3.0").