Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Maxton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°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 40.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 195 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average
63.4°F
17% above US avg
January Average
45°F (7°C)
July Average
82°F (28°C)
Sunny Days
310 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
195 ft (59 m)
Area
2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density
888/sq mi
Coordinates
34.7365°N, 79.3527°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Scotland County County
Nearest Airport
Lumberton Regional (LBT) 19 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.2"
6% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jul)5.75"
Driest Month (Apr)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
63.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
97.5 / 100
Community Resilience
25.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 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
118 km
7 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.6
141 km
3 km
Jun 29, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.5
141 km
3 km
Jun 26, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.4
141 km
4 km
May 9, 2022
5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina
M3.3
142 km
4 km
Jan 29, 1994
12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina
M2.9
123 km
2 km
Mar 21, 2011
9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina
M2.9
45 km
8 km
May 10, 2022
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.8
141 km
2 km
Mar 9, 2024
5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.7
142 km
3 km
Jan 5, 2022
5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.6
140 km
0 km
Apr 26, 2025
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
141 km
2 km
May 10, 2022
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.6
140 km
2 km
Jan 3, 2022
5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina
M2.5
138 km
2 km
Sep 15, 2024
6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina
M2.5
141 km
2 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
141 km
4 km
Jul 29, 2012
7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina
M2.5
46 km
14 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
21 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
160 km
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
122 km
2019
Dorian
Category 3
115 mph
200 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
120 km
2016
Matthew
Category 2
98 mph
141 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
200 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
252 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
194 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
259 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
120 km
2004
Gaston
Category 1
75 mph
194 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
244 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
92 mph
233 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
162 km
1999
Dennis
Category 2
104 mph
269 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
156 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
79 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
150 km
1989
Hugo
Category 4
138 mph
160 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
255 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
360 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 47 fatalities, 1,370 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995
EF4
66 km
0.7 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
55 km
7.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
38 km
17.0 mi
7
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
26 km
40.0 mi
4
Apr 8, 1957
EF4
15 km
0.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
67 km
65.2 mi
6
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
37 km
52.9 mi
2
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
45 km
40.0 mi
12
May 20, 1980
EF3
45 km
10.7 mi
0
Feb 22, 1971
EF3
55 km
85.7 mi
2
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
81 km
25.8 mi
0
Apr 18, 1969
EF3
79 km
77.3 mi
0
Nov 24, 1967
EF3
91 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 29, 1964
EF3
10 km
21.9 mi
0
Oct 9, 1950
EF3
93 km
2.0 mi
0
Mar 31, 2022
EF2
90 km
7.2 mi
0
Apr 13, 2020
EF2
60 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
56 km
13.1 mi
1
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
65 km
29.9 mi
3
Apr 25, 2010
EF2
72 km
3.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (3,968 acres, 1991).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1991
UNNAMED
3,968
37 km
1991
UNNAMED
3,094
89 km
1985
UNNAMED
2,743
38 km
1986
UNNAMED
2,642
77 km
2008
05/05 RX BURN
2,351
82 km
2007
06-09 RX BURN
2,054
83 km
2022
SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE
2,039
88 km
2000
UNNAMED
1,989
75 km
2007
LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX
1,944
35 km
1998
981406
1,892
81 km
1994
CM 15 16 17
1,871
78 km
2021
SLATES CHURCH FIRE
1,824
28 km
1994
COMP 1112
1,798
89 km
1998
980803
1,780
78 km
2000
2000 1003
1,768
85 km
1999
19990505
1,756
82 km
2016
COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE
1,704
34 km
1992
COMP 15
1,697
80 km
2018
SCCRR-FY18-RX-COMP-14
1,687
82 km
2012
4-NOV
1,636
83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
45°F (7°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
February
46°F (8°C)
3.8 in
March
53°F (12°C)
4.3 in
April
62°F (16°C)
2.8 in
Driest
May
69°F (21°C)
3.7 in
June
76°F (25°C)
4.7 in
July
82°F (28°C)
5.8 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
78°F (26°C)
4.8 in
September
73°F (23°C)
3.9 in
October
62°F (17°C)
3.1 in
November
53°F (12°C)
3.0 in
December
45°F (7°C)
3.3 in
Maxton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 45°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.8") and April the driest (2.8").