All Countries
Weather & Climate in Pawleys Island, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pawleys Island enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 304 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 55.4 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 -7 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 65.1°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 304 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | -7 ft (-2 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 166/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.4281°N, 79.1250°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Georgetown County County |
| Nearest Airport | Myrtle Beach International (MYR) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
33 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Aug 21, 1992 | 1 km SSE of Centerville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Apr 17, 1995 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.9 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Nov 13, 1990 | 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M3.5 | 108 km | 3 km |
| Nov 8, 2002 | 24 km SSE of Kiawah Island, South Carolina | M3.5 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Aug 29, 2009 | 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.2 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jul 20, 2004 | 7 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 116 km | 10 km |
| May 5, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 107 km | 11 km |
| Mar 29, 1999 | 3 km NNW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M3.0 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Mar 19, 2014 | 0 km WNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 2002 | 1 km NW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M2.9 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 106 km | 2 km |
| Mar 2, 2003 | 7 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.9 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Feb 7, 1990 | 9 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.9 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Jul 16, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Jul 31, 2012 | 5 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.8 | 110 km | 8 km |
| May 12, 2010 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 109 km | 1 km |
| Jan 11, 2002 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.7 | 110 km | 6 km |
| May 1, 2004 | 3 km ENE of Goose Creek, South Carolina | M2.7 | 95 km | 11 km |
| Jun 12, 2003 | 5 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.6 | 114 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
24 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 | 16 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 70 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 75 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 92 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 14 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 97 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 92 mph | 216 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 120 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 148 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 65 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 4 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 104 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 90 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 158 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 123 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 109 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 97 km |
| 1994 | Gordon | Category 1 | — | 299 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 98 mph | 285 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 94 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 225 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 82 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 78 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 85 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 57 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 11, 1960 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 8 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 78 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2002 | EF2 | 18 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2001 | EF2 | 38 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1998 | EF2 | 86 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1996 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF2 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1985 | EF2 | 57 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF2 | 70 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1982 | EF2 | 84 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1981 | EF2 | 80 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1979 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1979 | EF2 | 18 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1886 | CHARLESTON, SC | Earthquake | — | — | 100 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
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 | 49 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 13,429 | 63 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 11,023 | 65 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 8,560 | 74 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 8,439 | 74 km |
| 1997 | MURRELL | 5,126 | 55 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,893 | 63 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,890 | 50 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,852 | 65 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 4,813 | 54 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 4,336 | 73 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,955 | 62 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 87 km |
| 2003 | LITTLE HELLHOLE | 3,724 | 74 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,641 | 55 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,367 | 44 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,217 | 63 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,111 | 25 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 3,104 | 65 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 3,098 | 63 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 50°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 56°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 6.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 80°F (26°C) | 7.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 5.9 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 50°F (10°C) | 3.7 in |
Pawleys Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 34°F / from 48°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (7.1") and April the driest (2.7").