Weather & Climate in Valley Falls, SC

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

Valley Falls enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 301 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 51.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 748 feet.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	58.7°F
	9% above US avg
January Average	39°F (4°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	748 ft (228 m)
Area	5.2 sq mi (13.4 km²)
Population Density	1,397/sq mi
Coordinates	35.0066°N, 81.9689°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Cherokee County County
Nearest Airport	Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 16 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.7"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 1.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.31"

Driest Month (Apr) 3.58"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	69.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.0 / 100
Community Resilience	26.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

57 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	133 km	5 km
Apr 13, 1998	9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina	M3.9	138 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	147 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	147 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	147 km	4 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	121 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	125 km	1 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	147 km	4 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	104 km	0 km
Jun 5, 1998	4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina	M3.2	124 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina	M3.0	81 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	54 km	9 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	131 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	98 km	2 km
Feb 18, 2005	7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina	M2.9	126 km	1 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	132 km	9 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	81 km	7 km
Sep 18, 1996	6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina	M2.8	148 km	14 km
Mar 6, 2006	3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina	M2.8	106 km	4 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	142 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
1996	Fran	Category 1	75 mph	298 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	86 km

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

Tornado History

411 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 547 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 5, 1989	EF4	9 km	15.0 mi	2
May 5, 1989	EF4	63 km	14.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	92 km	21.0 mi	5
Dec 13, 1973	EF4	92 km	1.0 mi	2
Mar 15, 2008	EF3	88 km	27.5 mi	0
Aug 16, 1994	EF3	59 km	30.0 mi	0
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	83 km	18.5 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	91 km	19.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	97 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	99 km	17.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	84 km	10.7 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	93 km	17.3 mi	1
May 27, 1973	EF3	50 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	34 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	80 km	6.3 mi	0
May 5, 2020	EF2	98 km	14.0 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	41 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	64 km	8.0 mi	0
Feb 6, 2020	EF2	54 km	8.7 mi	0
Oct 23, 2017	EF2	4 km	3.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	BRUSHY RIDGE	12,405	96 km
2016	PARTY ROCK	8,572	57 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	69 km
2007	LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB)	7,151	91 km
2016	CHESTNUT KNOB	6,418	74 km
2010	BURNING UNIT	5,567	60 km
1985	UNNAMED	4,610	85 km
2022	LOST BEAR RX FY2022	4,276	81 km
2017	WHITE CREEK	4,166	93 km
2016	CLEAR CREEK	3,493	80 km
2010	C-94-95 133 RX	3,192	65 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,976	99 km
2010	UNNAMED	2,909	68 km
2015	UNNAMED	2,690	72 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,514	53 km
2009	UNNAMED	2,458	73 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,395	49 km
2017	UNNAMED	2,362	54 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,274	73 km
2013	UNNAMED	2,237	53 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	39°F (4°C)	4.3 in	Coldest
February	43°F (6°C)	4.4 in
March	51°F (11°C)	5.3 in	Wettest
April	59°F (15°C)	3.6 in	Driest
May	67°F (19°C)	4.6 in
June	74°F (24°C)	4.5 in
July	78°F (26°C)	4.7 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.3 in
September	71°F (22°C)	4.1 in
October	60°F (15°C)	4.3 in
November	50°F (10°C)	3.8 in
December	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in

Valley Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.9 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.3") and April the driest (3.6").

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