Weather & Climate in Ridgeway, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ridgeway 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. Annual precipitation totals 45.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 47. 57% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 620 feet.
Temperature
42°F Jan (6°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.2°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 42°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 620 ft (189 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 490/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.3065°N, 80.9601°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Richland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hartsville Regional (HVS) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 47.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 57.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
39 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 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 38 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 27 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 26 km | 3 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 139 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 27 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 27 km | 4 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia | M3.2 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 98 km | 9 km |
| Jun 5, 1998 | 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina | M3.2 | 140 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 115 km | 7 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 25 km | 1 km |
| Mar 21, 2011 | 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina | M2.9 | 119 km | 8 km |
| Jan 29, 1994 | 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina | M2.9 | 90 km | 2 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 106 km | 7 km |
| Sep 18, 1996 | 6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina | M2.8 | 127 km | 14 km |
| Apr 26, 2013 | 9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia | M2.8 | 143 km | 12 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 26 km | 2 km |
| Jul 5, 2025 | 11 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina | M2.7 | 119 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
16 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 81 mph | 197 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 231 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 262 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 238 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 198 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 92 mph | 292 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 199 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 192 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 278 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 297 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 3 | 115 mph | 299 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 229 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 275 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 46 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 238 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 4 | 132 mph | 247 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
463 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 491 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 78 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 34 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 39 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF4 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 50 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 74 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF3 | 71 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2004 | EF3 | 83 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | EF3 | 35 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | EF3 | 56 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 51 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 63 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 49 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 94 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 42 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 71 km | 17.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 18, 1969 | EF3 | 77 km | 77.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 96 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 75 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BURNING UNIT (5,567 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 61 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 5,322 | 33 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,481 | 73 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 70 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,094 | 65 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 67 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 49 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 80 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 50 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 77 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 71 km |
| 2008 | 05/05 RX BURN | 2,351 | 75 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 50 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 80 km |
| 2010 | C-142 RX | 2,149 | 68 km |
| 2007 | 06-09 RX BURN | 2,054 | 73 km |
| 2022 | SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE | 2,039 | 67 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,024 | 72 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,000 | 77 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,964 | 59 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 42°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in |
Ridgeway has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.7") and May the driest (3.1").