Weather & Climate in Princeton, SC

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

Princeton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°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 46.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 738 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.2°F
	13% above US avg
January Average	42°F (5°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	738 ft (225 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density	113/sq mi
Coordinates	34.4913°N, 82.2959°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Laurens County County
Nearest Airport	Anderson Regional (AND) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.7"

23% above US avg

Snowfall 1.3"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.12"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	76.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.1 / 100
Community Resilience	29.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

57 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	77 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	149 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	148 km	3 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	105 km	5 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	58 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	140 km	1 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	149 km	4 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	148 km	4 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	132 km	0 km
Aug 8, 1993	12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina	M3.2	119 km	9 km
Jun 20, 2017	6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia	M3.2	121 km	13 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	29 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	112 km	9 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	77 km	7 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	116 km	1 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	28 km	7 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	92 km	14 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	80 km	12 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	131 km	1 km
May 10, 2022	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.8	148 km	2 km

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

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	299 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	112 km

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

Tornado History

429 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 564 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	74 km	15.0 mi	2
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	91 km	21.0 mi	5
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	43 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	52 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	74 km	16.7 mi	1
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	57 km	27.5 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	72 km	5.0 mi	0
May 7, 1998	EF3	94 km	12.0 mi	1
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	73 km	30.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1992	EF3	92 km	67.0 mi	1
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	83 km	19.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	42 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	62 km	17.3 mi	1
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	27 km	10.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	42 km	17.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	33 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	35 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	63 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	51 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	45 km	5.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLE MOUNTAIN (7,869 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	74 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	82 km
2014	UNNAMED	3,897	82 km
2019	UNNAMED	3,772	82 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	55 km
2009	UNNAMED	3,165	65 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	58 km
2021	C-326/327 LC	2,852	97 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	82 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,654	72 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,532	82 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	48 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	79 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	89 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	56 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	61 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	79 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	48 km
2010	C-142 RX	2,149	57 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	65 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	42°F (5°C)	4.9 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	4.3 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.1 in	Wettest
April	60°F (16°C)	3.4 in	Driest
May	68°F (20°C)	3.9 in
June	75°F (24°C)	3.7 in
July	80°F (27°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	78°F (25°C)	3.9 in
September	72°F (22°C)	3.6 in
October	61°F (16°C)	3.7 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.8 in
December	44°F (7°C)	3.9 in

Princeton has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.1") and April the driest (3.4").

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