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Weather & Climate in Seneca, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Seneca enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°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 49.0 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 908 feet.
Temperature
43°F Jan (6°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 61.4°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 43°F (6°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 908 ft (277 m) |
| Area | 7.6 sq mi (19.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,065/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.6811°N, 82.9656°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pickens County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oconee County Regional (CEU) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
67 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 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 134 km | 25 km |
| Jul 5, 1995 | 12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M3.7 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 95 km | 1 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 93 km | 3 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 149 km | 2 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 100 km | 0 km |
| Aug 1, 2009 | 8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee | M3.2 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 91 km | 2 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 126 km | 7 km |
| May 29, 1991 | 5 km N of Tellico Plains, Tennessee | M2.9 | 146 km | 22 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 90 km | 7 km |
| Sep 18, 1996 | 6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina | M2.8 | 137 km | 14 km |
| Apr 14, 2005 | 19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee | M2.8 | 135 km | 16 km |
| Apr 21, 2014 | 8 km ESE of Vonore, Tennessee | M2.8 | 146 km | 12 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina | M2.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Apr 26, 2013 | 9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia | M2.8 | 114 km | 12 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Michael | Category 1 | — | 300 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 171 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
367 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 691 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 31, 1973 | EF4 | 76 km | 22.6 mi | 7 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 13 km | 16.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 89 km | 37.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 92 km | 4.0 mi | 12 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 42 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 27, 1994 | EF3 | 98 km | 23.0 mi | 3 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF3 | 89 km | 10.0 mi | 1 |
| Nov 15, 1989 | EF3 | 58 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 35 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 95 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 86 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 50 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 67 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 23 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 62 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2020 | EF2 | 57 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF2 | 42 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF2 | 95 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 8, 2017 | EF2 | 93 km | 22.3 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 | 61 km |
| 2016 | TELLICO | 14,172 | 89 km |
| 2016 | BOTELER | 8,626 | 78 km |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 47 km |
| 2016 | CAMP BRANCH | 3,234 | 77 km |
| 2023 | PANTHER KNOB | 3,170 | 74 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,165 | 96 km |
| 2020 | CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP | 2,421 | 25 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,201 | 48 km |
| 2010 | BRAMLETT RIDGE | 2,200 | 62 km |
| 2023 | BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23 | 2,172 | 62 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,133 | 62 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,087 | 92 km |
| 2023 | TRAIL RIDGE FY23 | 2,085 | 76 km |
| 2020 | C-249 LC | 2,084 | 94 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,998 | 76 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,911 | 62 km |
| 2020 | C-250 LC | 1,887 | 97 km |
| 2020 | PARSONS MTN SOUTH LC | 1,878 | 88 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,855 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 43°F (6°C) | 5.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.9 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | Driest |
| May | 67°F (20°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 74°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 4.8 in |
Seneca has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 57.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and April the driest (4.1").