Weather & Climate in Nichols, SC

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Nichols enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°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 53.2 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 53 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.9°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	53 ft (16 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density	146/sq mi
Coordinates	34.2352°N, 79.1491°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Marion County County
Nearest Airport	Lumberton Regional (LBT) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.2"

40% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.91"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.80"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	80.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	93.8 / 100
Community Resilience	26.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

15 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	136 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	145 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	146 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	145 km	4 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	146 km	4 km
Jan 29, 1994	12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina	M2.9	102 km	2 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	91 km	8 km
May 10, 2022	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.8	146 km	2 km
Mar 9, 2024	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.7	146 km	3 km
Jan 5, 2022	5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina	M2.6	145 km	0 km
Apr 26, 2025	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.6	145 km	2 km
May 10, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.6	145 km	2 km
Jan 3, 2022	5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina	M2.5	143 km	2 km
Sep 15, 2024	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.5	145 km	2 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	89 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

23 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	104 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	71 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	148 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	74 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	83 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	148 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	226 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	155 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	212 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	144 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	64 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	262 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	178 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	116 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	215 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	133 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	96 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	120 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	134 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	235 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

380 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 58 fatalities, 1,376 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	22 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	72 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	80 km	7.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	60 km	40.0 mi	4
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	50 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	69 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	87 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	84 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	71 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	40 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	96 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	92 km	77.3 mi	0
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	99 km	25.8 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	35 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 17, 1965	EF3	63 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	68 km	21.9 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	51 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	83 km	4.6 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	74 km	9.3 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	47 km	13.1 mi	1

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	55 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,968	82 km
1997	UNNAMED	3,111	70 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	84 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	87 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,204	57 km
1993	UNNAMED	2,073	99 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	35 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,870	73 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	87 km
2008	UNNAMED	1,754	97 km
2016	COUNTY LINE ROAD FIRE	1,704	93 km
2010	UNNAMED	1,683	74 km
2002	LEGENDS	1,666	57 km
2016	CLEMMONS ROAD	1,468	94 km
1990	UNNAMED	1,335	55 km
2010	UNNAMED	1,298	93 km
2010	CHUCKS FIRST BIG ONE	1,252	88 km
2018	STRAUSBURG ROAD	1,219	88 km
1994	UNNAMED	1,178	99 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	47°F (8°C)	3.6 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.4 in
April	62°F (16°C)	2.9 in
May	69°F (21°C)	4.1 in
June	76°F (25°C)	4.9 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	79°F (26°C)	5.6 in
September	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
October	63°F (17°C)	3.0 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	47°F (8°C)	3.3 in

Nichols has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (2.8").

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