Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Little River enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 308 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 48.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 43 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average
64.0°F
19% above US avg
January Average
46°F (8°C)
July Average
81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days
308 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
43 ft (13 m)
Area
10.5 sq mi (27.1 km²)
Population Density
998/sq mi
Coordinates
33.8806°N, 78.6405°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Horry County County
Nearest Airport
Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.5"
28% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)6.61"
Driest Month (Apr)2.87"
Air Quality
AQI Median
43.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
98.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
65.4 / 100
Community Resilience
66.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
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 High
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
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
139 km
2 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
25 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
83 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
13 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
87 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
26 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
45 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
87 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
179 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
98 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
151 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
132 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
11 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
246 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
124 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
60 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
154 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
88 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
59 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
59 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
257 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
98 mph
255 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
299 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 420 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
72 km
0.7 mi
0
Feb 15, 2021
EF3
13 km
21.9 mi
3
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
63 km
2.2 mi
8
May 20, 1980
EF3
100 km
10.7 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
54 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 17, 1965
EF3
6 km
0.3 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
32 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF2
63 km
8.3 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
60 km
4.6 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
15 km
9.3 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
75 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 6, 2009
EF2
62 km
1.4 mi
0
Mar 28, 2009
EF2
74 km
1.6 mi
0
Nov 14, 2008
EF2
86 km
1.5 mi
0
Aug 13, 2004
EF2
91 km
5.0 mi
3
Oct 11, 2002
EF2
83 km
1.2 mi
0
Jul 6, 2001
EF2
30 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 1999
EF2
100 km
0.3 mi
1
Apr 15, 1999
EF2
94 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 7, 1995
EF2
38 km
5.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
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
21 km
1997
UNNAMED
3,111
65 km
2001
UNNAMED
2,204
13 km
1993
UNNAMED
2,073
48 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,024
89 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
83 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,870
55 km
2010
UNNAMED
1,683
56 km
2002
LEGENDS
1,666
36 km
2016
CLEMMONS ROAD
1,468
45 km
1990
UNNAMED
1,335
65 km
2008
EDNA BUCK ROAD
1,256
91 km
2009
JOE BAY
1,124
57 km
2010
UNNAMED
1,109
83 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,077
23 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,005
13 km
2007
EAST PENDER COMPLEX
986
97 km
2011
HORNET
882
27 km
2006
COW ISLAND
878
43 km
1996
UNNAMED
839
36 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
46°F (8°C)
4.3 in
Coldest
February
48°F (9°C)
3.7 in
March
55°F (13°C)
4.3 in
April
62°F (17°C)
2.9 in
Driest
May
70°F (21°C)
4.3 in
June
76°F (25°C)
5.2 in
July
81°F (27°C)
6.3 in
Warmest
August
79°F (26°C)
6.6 in
Wettest
September
74°F (24°C)
5.8 in
October
64°F (18°C)
3.2 in
November
56°F (13°C)
3.0 in
December
48°F (9°C)
3.5 in
Little River has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 46°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.6") and April the driest (2.9").