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Weather & Climate in Rains, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rains enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 81°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 49.3 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 76 feet.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 63.2°F |
| 17% above US avg | |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 76 ft (23 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 30/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.0942°N, 79.3214°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Marion County County |
| Nearest Airport | Florence Regional (FLO) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
38 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 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Apr 17, 1995 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.9 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 125 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Nov 13, 1990 | 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M3.5 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 129 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 130 km | 4 km |
| Aug 29, 2009 | 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.2 | 141 km | 5 km |
| May 5, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 141 km | 11 km |
| Mar 19, 2014 | 0 km WNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Mar 29, 1999 | 3 km NNW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M3.0 | 137 km | 11 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jul 7, 2002 | 1 km NW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M2.9 | 139 km | 11 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 81 km | 2 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 94 km | 8 km |
| Jul 31, 2012 | 5 km S of Centerville, South Carolina | M2.8 | 150 km | 8 km |
| May 12, 2010 | 6 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Jul 16, 2002 | 5 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M2.8 | 149 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 130 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
22 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 | 89 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 79 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 144 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 86 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 72 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 152 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 241 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 165 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 210 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 66 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 124 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 284 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 92 mph | 172 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 126 km |
| 1999 | Dennis | Category 2 | 104 mph | 215 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 150 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 117 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 126 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 112 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 252 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
384 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 43 fatalities, 1,139 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 7, 1995 | EF4 | 6 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 73 km | 17.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 77 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 65 km | 40.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 66 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 15, 2021 | EF3 | 78 km | 21.9 mi | 3 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 92 km | 40.0 mi | 12 |
| May 20, 1980 | EF3 | 37 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 83 km | 77.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 24, 1967 | EF3 | 21 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1965 | EF3 | 67 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF3 | 79 km | 21.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1950 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 70 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2019 | EF2 | 81 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 70 km | 13.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 25, 2010 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2010 | EF2 | 58 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2009 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.4 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 | — | — | 147 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 | 54 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 4,890 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,968 | 86 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 3,759 | 99 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 3,367 | 99 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 3,111 | 53 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,094 | 99 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 2,743 | 89 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,650 | 91 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,567 | 95 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,366 | 98 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,347 | 96 km |
| 2008 | MATTASSEE LAKE 1 | 2,268 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,207 | 99 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,204 | 59 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,124 | 99 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,121 | 97 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 2,080 | 97 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,060 | 98 km |
| 2007 | LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX | 1,944 | 56 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 45°F (7°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 in | |
| May | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 6.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 5.9 in | |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in |
Rains has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 45°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.1") and November the driest (2.8").