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Weather & Climate in Pelzer, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pelzer enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 79°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 48.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 788 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.6°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 788 ft (240 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,539/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.6436°N, 82.4601°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Anderson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Anderson Regional (AND) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 57.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
48 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Feb 15, 2014 | 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 74 km | 3 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 118 km | 1 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 111 km | 0 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia | M3.2 | 141 km | 13 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 52 km | 2 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 100 km | 9 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 51 km | 7 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 142 km | 4 km |
| Apr 26, 2013 | 9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia | M2.8 | 97 km | 12 km |
| Sep 18, 1996 | 6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina | M2.8 | 112 km | 14 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 110 km | 1 km |
| Aug 14, 2025 | 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina | M2.7 | 79 km | 6 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 11 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | M2.7 | 97 km | 4 km |
| Mar 21, 2004 | 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M2.7 | 102 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 125 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
400 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 520 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 69 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF4 | 66 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 1973 | EF4 | 64 km | 22.6 mi | 7 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 57 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 79 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 94 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 86 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 88 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 36 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 49 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 63 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 84 km | 17.3 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 14 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 26 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 41 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 57 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2020 | EF2 | 28 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 41 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 56 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: PARTY ROCK (8,572 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | PARTY ROCK | 8,572 | 94 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 52 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 94 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 73 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,165 | 80 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 76 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 97 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,654 | 93 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 63 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 95 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 69 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 69 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 75 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 95 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 63 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 91 km |
| 2010 | C-142 RX | 2,149 | 75 km |
| 2020 | C-249 LC | 2,084 | 79 km |
| 2022 | C-297 LC | 2,060 | 99 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (5°C) | 5.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 4.2 in |
Pelzer has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.4") and April the driest (3.6").