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Weather & Climate in Watts Mills, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watts Mills enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°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 45.3 inches. The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 651 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 60.4°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 310 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 651 ft (198 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 991/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 34.5162°N, 81.9855°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Union County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greenville Spartanburg International (GSP) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.8 / 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 | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| 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
52 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 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 127 km | 7 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Mar 18, 2003 | 11 km S of Rayle, Georgia | M3.5 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 72 km | 3 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 109 km | 9 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia | M3.2 | 121 km | 13 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 27 km | 2 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 77 km | 7 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 108 km | 9 km |
| Feb 18, 2005 | 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina | M2.9 | 92 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina | M2.9 | 28 km | 7 km |
| Apr 26, 2013 | 9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia | M2.8 | 90 km | 12 km |
| Sep 18, 1996 | 6 km E of Clarks Hill, South Carolina | M2.8 | 94 km | 14 km |
| May 23, 2023 | 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina | M2.8 | 142 km | 1 km |
| May 10, 2022 | 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M2.8 | 121 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 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 | 290 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 285 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 293 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 278 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 84 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 292 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
470 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 568 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 5, 1989 | EF4 | 63 km | 15.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 63 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF4 | 38 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 31, 1973 | EF4 | 72 km | 22.6 mi | 7 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 38 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 94 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 45 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 95 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 56 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1974 | EF3 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 43 km | 17.3 mi | 1 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 32 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF3 | 46 km | 17.7 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1973 | EF3 | 50 km | 60.2 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1952 | EF3 | 40 km | 22.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF2 | 93 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 86 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 76 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLE MOUNTAIN (7,869 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | PINNACLE MOUNTAIN | 7,869 | 90 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 54 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 3,897 | 85 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,772 | 86 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 27 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 3,165 | 79 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 30 km |
| 2021 | C-326/327 LC | 2,852 | 99 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 53 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,654 | 75 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,532 | 86 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 19 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 50 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 29 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 33 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 50 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 19 km |
| 2010 | C-142 RX | 2,149 | 29 km |
| 2020 | C-249 LC | 2,084 | 80 km |
| 2022 | C-297 LC | 2,060 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 4.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 45°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 52°F (11°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| April | 60°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in |
Watts Mills has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.8 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.0") and April the driest (3.3").