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Weather & Climate in West Columbia, SC
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Columbia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. The area gets 308 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 45.2 inches. 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 283 feet.
Temperature
46°F Jan (8°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 64.3°F |
| 19% above US avg | |
| January Average | 46°F (8°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Sunny Days | 308 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 283 ft (86 m) |
| Area | 7.0 sq mi (18.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,883/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.9901°N, 81.0994°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lexington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aiken Regional (AIK) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 46.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
68 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 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Aug 21, 1992 | 1 km SSE of Centerville, South Carolina | M4.1 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Apr 13, 1998 | 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina | M3.9 | 70 km | 7 km |
| Apr 17, 1995 | 0 km NNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.9 | 140 km | 8 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.6 | 39 km | 3 km |
| Nov 13, 1990 | 4 km SSW of Ladson, South Carolina | M3.5 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Jun 29, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.5 | 39 km | 3 km |
| Jan 3, 1992 | 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina | M3.4 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Jun 26, 2022 | 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.4 | 40 km | 4 km |
| May 9, 2022 | 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina | M3.3 | 39 km | 4 km |
| Aug 29, 2009 | 2 km NE of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.2 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2017 | 6 km SW of Augusta, Georgia | M3.2 | 105 km | 13 km |
| Aug 8, 1993 | 12 km ENE of Aiken, South Carolina | M3.2 | 63 km | 9 km |
| May 5, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 134 km | 11 km |
| Jul 20, 2004 | 7 km WSW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.1 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Aug 23, 2025 | 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina | M3.0 | 97 km | 2 km |
| Mar 29, 1999 | 3 km NNW of Sangaree, South Carolina | M3.0 | 136 km | 11 km |
| Feb 16, 2014 | 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina | M3.0 | 91 km | 7 km |
| Mar 19, 2014 | 0 km WNW of Centerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 140 km | 7 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 4 km NNW of Summerville, South Carolina | M3.0 | 133 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
15 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 4.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2022 | Ian | Category 1 | 86 mph | 192 km |
| 2020 | Isaias | Category 1 | 92 mph | 228 km |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 3 | 115 mph | 250 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 1 | 92 mph | 249 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 2 | 98 mph | 185 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 92 mph | 287 km |
| 2004 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 192 km |
| 2004 | Gaston | Category 1 | 75 mph | 177 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 2 | 104 mph | 282 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 3 | 115 mph | 258 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 281 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 4 | 138 mph | 79 km |
| 1985 | Bob | Category 1 | 75 mph | 207 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 3 | 127 mph | 258 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
500 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 30 fatalities, 514 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 47 km | 21.0 mi | 5 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF4 | 74 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Dec 13, 1973 | EF4 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF4 | 86 km | 121.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 5, 2022 | EF3 | 100 km | 34.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 90 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 80 km | 35.7 mi | 2 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 97 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 13, 2020 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 95 km | 14.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 86 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 15, 2008 | EF3 | 66 km | 27.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2007 | EF3 | 60 km | 19.0 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2004 | EF3 | 53 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 2004 | EF3 | 57 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| May 7, 1998 | EF3 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1995 | EF3 | 19 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1994 | EF3 | 14 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (8,427 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 8,427 | 87 km |
| 2010 | BURNING UNIT | 5,567 | 84 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 5,322 | 26 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 3,481 | 62 km |
| 2010 | C-94-95 133 RX | 3,192 | 76 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 3,094 | 94 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,968 | 85 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,909 | 73 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,796 | 95 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,711 | 96 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,690 | 68 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,654 | 96 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,514 | 89 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,458 | 67 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,395 | 90 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 2,362 | 84 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 2,330 | 87 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,274 | 67 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,262 | 85 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 2,237 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 46°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| May | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 80°F (27°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 64°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 in |
West Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 46°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.1") and April the driest (2.8").