Weather & Climate in South Union, SC

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

South Union enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 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 61.1 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 895 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	895 ft (273 m)
Area	2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²)
Population Density	128/sq mi
Coordinates	34.5595°N, 83.0490°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Oconee County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 61.1"

61% above US avg

Snowfall 2.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.91"

Driest Month (Sep) 4.13"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	85.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	70.5 / 100
Community Resilience	42.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
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 High
Landslide	Relatively Low

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

Earthquake History

60 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	121 km	5 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	139 km	25 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	133 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	98 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	107 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	86 km	3 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	115 km	0 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	127 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	93 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	135 km	9 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	122 km	7 km
May 29, 1991	5 km N of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M2.9	148 km	22 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	91 km	7 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	107 km	12 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	131 km	14 km
Jul 5, 1996	7 km WNW of Marble, North Carolina	M2.8	112 km	5 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	139 km	16 km
Apr 21, 2014	8 km ESE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	150 km	12 km
May 23, 2023	4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina	M2.8	114 km	1 km
Aug 14, 2025	7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina	M2.7	114 km	6 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	—	285 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	179 km

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

Tornado History

376 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 705 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	69 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	7 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	83 km	37.0 mi	1
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	81 km	4.0 mi	12
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	90 km	23.0 mi	3
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	37 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1992	EF3	81 km	10.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	51 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	32 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	81 km	9.5 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	87 km	10.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	94 km	17.7 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	94 km	18.7 mi	1
May 27, 1973	EF3	61 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	78 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	39 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	54 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	71 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	57 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	35 km	8.4 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	65 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	96 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	80 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	63 km
2015	UNNAMED	5,084	90 km
2014	UNNAMED	3,298	100 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	83 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	79 km
2009	UNNAMED	3,165	89 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	31 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	37 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	61 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	61 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	61 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,087	94 km
2023	TRAIL RIDGE FY23	2,085	72 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	87 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,998	72 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,911	61 km
2020	C-250 LC	1,887	90 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	5.6 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	4.9 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.9 in	Wettest
April	60°F (15°C)	4.2 in
May	67°F (20°C)	4.8 in
June	74°F (24°C)	4.2 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.7 in
September	71°F (22°C)	4.1 in	Driest
October	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
November	51°F (11°C)	4.4 in
December	44°F (7°C)	4.7 in

South Union has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 41°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and September the driest (4.1").

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