Weather & Climate in Tamassee, SC

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

Tamassee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 70°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 87.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,040 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	53.5°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,040 ft (317 m)
Area	1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²)
Population Density	57/sq mi
Coordinates	34.8798°N, 83.0140°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Oconee County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 87.3"

130% above US avg

Snowfall 3.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 6.81"

Driest Month (Apr) 4.88"

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

103 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	145 km	5 km
May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	115 km	25 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	116 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	133 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	72 km	1 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	114 km	3 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	144 km	20 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	130 km	2 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	142 km	14 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	79 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	131 km	14 km
May 10, 2006	3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee	M3.2	145 km	25 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	134 km	17 km
Aug 1, 2009	8 km ENE of Ducktown, Tennessee	M3.2	118 km	5 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	107 km	2 km
Sep 24, 1991	6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	136 km	13 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	108 km	9 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	139 km	2 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	124 km	7 km
Nov 10, 1992	4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	132 km	10 km

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

Hurricane History

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

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	176 km

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

Tornado History

332 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 635 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	98 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	30 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	88 km	37.0 mi	1
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	98 km	4.0 mi	12
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	42 km	28.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	99 km	23.0 mi	3
Nov 22, 1992	EF3	91 km	10.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	61 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	57 km	1.0 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	55 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	70 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	17 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	84 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	57 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	33 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	94 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	27 km	8.4 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	55 km	9.5 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	91 km	6.7 mi	0
Aug 26, 2008	EF2	38 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: ROCK MOUNTAIN (25,224 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	ROCK MOUNTAIN	25,224	48 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	70 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	64 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	96 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	33 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	80 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	60 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	57 km
1998	FOURNEY CREEK	2,579	83 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	18 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	56 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	55 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	55 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	55 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,087	78 km
2023	TRAIL RIDGE FY23	2,085	72 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,998	72 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,911	55 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,855	78 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,803	50 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	5.9 in	Coldest
February	42°F (5°C)	5.6 in
March	49°F (9°C)	6.8 in	Wettest
April	56°F (14°C)	4.9 in	Driest
May	64°F (18°C)	5.9 in
June	71°F (22°C)	5.2 in
July	70°F (21°C)	5.6 in
August	73°F (23°C)	5.6 in	Warmest
September	68°F (20°C)	5.2 in
October	58°F (14°C)	5.1 in
November	49°F (10°C)	5.5 in
December	42°F (6°C)	5.8 in

Tamassee has a seasonal temperature swing of 36°F / from 37°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 67.0 inches, with March being the wettest month (6.8") and April the driest (4.9").

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