Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Loris 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 94 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
94 ft (29 m)
Area
4.6 sq mi (11.8 km²)
Population Density
565/sq mi
Coordinates
34.0575°N, 78.8884°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Columbus County County
Nearest Airport
Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall57.0"
50% above US avg
Snowfall0.5"
Wettest Month (Aug)6.02"
Driest Month (Nov)2.76"
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
119 km
2 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
122 km
8 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
120 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
89 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
40 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
117 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
46 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
63 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
117 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
202 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
125 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
181 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
135 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
34 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
256 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
150 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
87 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
184 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
110 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
84 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
89 km
1994
Gordon
Category 1
81 mph
283 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
98 mph
284 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
365 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 45 fatalities, 984 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
44 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
91 km
40.0 mi
4
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
75 km
0.8 mi
0
Feb 15, 2021
EF3
39 km
21.9 mi
3
Nov 16, 2006
EF3
67 km
2.2 mi
8
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
86 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
70 km
10.7 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
34 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 17, 1965
EF3
32 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
96 km
21.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
29 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
97 km
4.7 mi
0
Aug 3, 2020
EF2
89 km
8.3 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
66 km
4.6 mi
0
Sep 5, 2019
EF2
43 km
9.3 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
54 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
90 km
29.9 mi
3
Apr 25, 2010
EF2
97 km
3.0 mi
0
Apr 6, 2009
EF2
50 km
1.4 mi
0
Mar 28, 2009
EF2
57 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
28 km
1997
UNNAMED
3,111
60 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
91 km
2001
UNNAMED
2,204
27 km
1993
UNNAMED
2,073
71 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
56 km
2009
UNNAMED
1,870
57 km
2010
UNNAMED
1,683
58 km
2002
LEGENDS
1,666
37 km
2016
CLEMMONS ROAD
1,468
66 km
1990
UNNAMED
1,335
52 km
2009
JOE BAY
1,124
60 km
2010
UNNAMED
1,109
89 km
2011
VALENTINE
1,083
92 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,077
28 km
1988
UNNAMED
1,005
28 km
2005
UNNAMED
1,002
100 km
2024
HORSESHOE LAKE
990
88 km
2011
HORNET
882
30 km
2006
COW ISLAND
878
59 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
Loris 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").