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Weather & Climate in Unity, SC

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

Unity 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. 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 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 621 feet.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.9°F
13% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days310 days/yr

Geography

Elevation621 ft (189 m)
Area2.1 sq mi (5.5 km²)
Population Density310/sq mi
Coordinates34.8016°N, 80.6918°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyLancaster County County
Nearest AirportCharlotte/Douglas International (CLT)
32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 47.8"
26% above US avg
Snowfall 2.1"
Wettest Month (Mar) 4.76"
Driest Month (Apr) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score79.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability42.1 / 100
Community Resilience52.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

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 71 km 3 km
Jun 29, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.5 71 km 3 km
Jun 26, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.4 71 km 4 km
May 9, 2022 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina M3.3 72 km 4 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 84 km 9 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 141 km 2 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 148 km 9 km
Mar 21, 2011 9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina M2.9 79 km 8 km
Feb 18, 2005 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina M2.9 85 km 1 km
Jan 29, 1994 12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina M2.9 117 km 2 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina M2.9 142 km 7 km
May 10, 2022 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M2.8 70 km 2 km
Aug 14, 2025 7 km N of Columbus, North Carolina M2.7 149 km 6 km
Mar 21, 2004 16 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M2.7 146 km 9 km
Aug 17, 2021 6 km N of Morganton, North Carolina M2.7 143 km 6 km
Mar 9, 2024 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M2.7 71 km 3 km
May 31, 2021 4 km SW of Summit, South Carolina M2.6 123 km 2 km
May 10, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M2.6 70 km 2 km
Jan 5, 2022 5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina M2.6 69 km 0 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

14 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 216 km
2020 Isaias Category 1 92 mph 225 km
2019 Dorian Category 3 115 mph 285 km
2018 Florence Category 1 92 mph 228 km
2016 Matthew Category 2 98 mph 213 km
2004 Charley Category 1 81 mph 214 km
2004 Gaston Category 1 75 mph 224 km
1999 Floyd Category 2 104 mph 271 km
1998 Bonnie Category 3 115 mph 277 km
1996 Fran Category 3 115 mph 187 km
1996 Bertha Category 2 104 mph 271 km
1989 Hugo Category 4 138 mph 39 km
1985 Bob Category 1 75 mph 290 km
1984 Diana Category 4 132 mph 237 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

410 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 26 fatalities, 487 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 5, 1989 EF4 20 km 13.0 mi 1
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 75 km 7.0 mi 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 75 km 21.0 mi 5
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 88 km 17.0 mi 7
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 31 km 4.0 mi 0
Apr 8, 1957 EF4 22 km 121.4 mi 4
Sep 7, 2004 EF3 60 km 7.0 mi 0
Aug 16, 1994 EF3 78 km 30.0 mi 0
Mar 27, 1994 EF3 52 km 18.5 mi 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 20 km 12.0 mi 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF3 86 km 19.0 mi 0
Apr 18, 1969 EF3 67 km 77.3 mi 0
Mar 31, 2022 EF2 53 km 7.2 mi 0
May 5, 2020 EF2 38 km 14.0 mi 0
Apr 13, 2020 EF2 66 km 0.2 mi 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 78 km 6.2 mi 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 78 km 8.7 mi 0
Jan 11, 2020 EF2 44 km 0.6 mi 0
Mar 3, 2012 EF2 51 km 2.9 mi 0
Nov 16, 2011 EF2 45 km 5.8 mi 3
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 69 km
2009 UNNAMED 5,322 86 km
1991 UNNAMED 3,968 86 km
2010 C-94-95 133 RX 3,192 99 km
1991 UNNAMED 3,094 50 km
2010 UNNAMED 2,909 98 km
1985 UNNAMED 2,743 86 km
2015 UNNAMED 2,690 71 km
2009 UNNAMED 2,458 75 km
2017 UNNAMED 2,395 94 km
2017 UNNAMED 2,362 90 km
2008 05/05 RX BURN 2,351 45 km
2013 UNNAMED 2,274 75 km
2010 C-142 RX 2,149 100 km
2007 06-09 RX BURN 2,054 47 km
2022 SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE 2,039 47 km
2021 UNNAMED 2,024 94 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,989 66 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,964 69 km
2009 UNNAMED 1,918 71 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 42°F (5°C) 4.5 in Coldest
February 45°F (7°C) 3.7 in
March 52°F (11°C) 4.8 in Wettest
April 60°F (16°C) 3.0 in Driest
May 68°F (20°C) 3.5 in
June 75°F (24°C) 4.2 in
July 80°F (27°C) 4.8 in Warmest
August 78°F (25°C) 4.5 in
September 72°F (22°C) 4.1 in
October 61°F (16°C) 3.8 in
November 52°F (11°C) 3.3 in
December 44°F (7°C) 3.4 in

Unity has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.4 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and April the driest (3.0").

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