Weather & Climate in Pendleton, SC

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

Pendleton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°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 52.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 772 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.5°F
	14% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	772 ft (235 m)
Area	4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density	721/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6422°N, 82.7791°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Anderson County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 6 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 52.4"

38% above US avg

Snowfall 2.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.55"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.74"

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

51 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	111 km	5 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	149 km	25 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	148 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	107 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	104 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	81 km	3 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	105 km	0 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	146 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	74 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	113 km	9 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	112 km	7 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	73 km	7 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	103 km	12 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	124 km	14 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	147 km	4 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	127 km	5 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	104 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	92 km	6 km
Apr 23, 1993	14 km E of Mount Zion, Georgia	M2.7	141 km	0 km
Jul 5, 2025	11 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina	M2.7	110 km	4 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	154 km

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

Tornado History

370 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 473 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	92 km	15.0 mi	2
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	87 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	65 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	28 km	16.7 mi	1
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	59 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	75 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	25 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	80 km	17.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	70 km	10.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	35 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	51 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	24 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	53 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	45 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	37 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	81 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	14 km	8.4 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	76 km	22.3 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	50 km	9.5 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	58 km	6.7 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	ROCK MOUNTAIN	25,224	78 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	94 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	46 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	93 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	90 km
2009	UNNAMED	3,165	85 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	92 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	42 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	99 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	92 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	63 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	80 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	80 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	80 km
2023	TRAIL RIDGE FY23	2,085	93 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	83 km
2019	UNNAMED	2,000	96 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,998	94 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,911	80 km
2020	C-250 LC	1,887	86 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	5.3 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	4.6 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.6 in	Wettest
April	60°F (16°C)	3.7 in	Driest
May	68°F (20°C)	4.3 in
June	75°F (24°C)	3.7 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	4.4 in
September	72°F (22°C)	4.0 in
October	61°F (16°C)	4.0 in
November	52°F (11°C)	4.2 in
December	44°F (7°C)	4.5 in

Pendleton has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.6 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.6") and April the driest (3.7").

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