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Weather & Climate in Live Oak, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Live Oak enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°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 57.0 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 102 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 62.6°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 102 ft (31 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 25/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.0560°N, 78.9397°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Columbus County County |
| Nearest Airport | Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 86.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 88.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (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 | 114 km | 2 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 118 km | 8 km |
| Jul 29, 2012 | 7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina | M2.5 | 117 km | 14 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 | 87 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 44 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 121 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 50 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 62 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 121 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 206 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 130 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 184 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 132 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 36 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 260 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 152 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 91 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 187 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 114 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 88 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 93 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | 81 mph | 288 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 98 mph | 288 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
366 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 52 fatalities, 1,087 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 39 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 88 km | 40.0 mi | 4 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 100 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 73 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 43 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Nov 16, 2006 | EF3 | 72 km | 2.2 mi | 8 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 86 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| May 20, 1980 | EF3 | 66 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 29 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 94 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 34 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF2 | 93 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 64 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 47 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 56 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 91 km | 29.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 25, 2010 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.6 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 | 29 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,111 | 57 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 2,642 | 93 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 30 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 2,073 | 76 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 55 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 1,870 | 55 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 1,754 | 97 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 1,683 | 57 km |
| 2002 | LEGENDS | 1,666 | 36 km |
| 2016 | CLEMMONS ROAD | 1,468 | 71 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 1,335 | 49 km |
| 2009 | JOE BAY | 1,124 | 58 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 1,109 | 87 km |
| 2011 | VALENTINE | 1,083 | 92 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,077 | 29 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,005 | 30 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 1,002 | 96 km |
| 2024 | HORSESHOE LAKE | 990 | 89 km |
| 2011 | HORNET | 882 | 30 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 5.1 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in |
Live Oak has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 45°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (6.0") and November the driest (2.8").