Weather & Climate in Westminster, SC

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

Westminster enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 78°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 61.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 896 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	59.2°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	896 ft (273 m)
Area	3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²)
Population Density	650/sq mi
Coordinates	34.6666°N, 83.0907°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Oconee County County
Nearest Airport	Oconee County Regional (CEU) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 61.1"

61% above US avg

Snowfall 2.2"

Wettest Month (Mar) 5.91"

Driest Month (Sep) 4.13"

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

79 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

May 10, 2025	21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee	M4.1	127 km	25 km
Feb 15, 2014	12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina	M4.1	132 km	5 km
Jul 5, 1995	12 km ESE of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M3.7	123 km	10 km
Mar 18, 2003	11 km S of Rayle, Georgia	M3.5	110 km	5 km
Jan 3, 1992	4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina	M3.4	98 km	3 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	95 km	1 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	144 km	2 km
Apr 11, 2006	5 km NE of Etowah, Tennessee	M3.3	148 km	20 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	104 km	0 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	101 km	2 km
Nov 10, 1992	4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	144 km	10 km
Sep 24, 1991	6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee	M3.0	148 km	13 km
Feb 16, 2014	13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina	M3.0	132 km	7 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	144 km	7 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	129 km	9 km
May 29, 1991	5 km N of Tellico Plains, Tennessee	M2.9	137 km	22 km
Aug 23, 2025	3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina	M2.9	99 km	7 km
Apr 26, 2013	9 km E of Lincolnton, Georgia	M2.8	119 km	12 km
Apr 14, 2005	19 km SE of Vonore, Tennessee	M2.8	127 km	16 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
2018	Michael	Category 1	—	295 km
1989	Hugo	Category 2	98 mph	182 km

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

Tornado History

369 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 28 fatalities, 603 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 31, 1973	EF4	81 km	22.6 mi	7
Apr 13, 2020	EF3	6 km	16.7 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	78 km	37.0 mi	1
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	81 km	4.0 mi	12
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	87 km	23.0 mi	3
Mar 27, 1994	EF3	30 km	28.0 mi	0
Nov 22, 1992	EF3	78 km	10.0 mi	1
Nov 15, 1989	EF3	47 km	8.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1974	EF3	42 km	1.0 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	82 km	9.5 mi	0
Dec 13, 1973	EF3	95 km	10.7 mi	0
May 27, 1973	EF3	62 km	60.2 mi	0
May 10, 1952	EF3	78 km	22.7 mi	2
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	32 km	6.3 mi	0
May 3, 2021	EF2	66 km	29.4 mi	0
Apr 25, 2020	EF2	69 km	5.5 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	51 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 8, 2017	EF2	32 km	8.4 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	78 km	6.7 mi	0
Apr 10, 2009	EF2	31 km	9.5 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	53 km
2016	TELLICO	14,172	84 km
2016	BOTELER	8,626	69 km
2016	PINNACLE MOUNTAIN	7,869	55 km
2001	SHARP	6,039	99 km
2014	UNNAMED	3,298	96 km
2016	CAMP BRANCH	3,234	71 km
2023	PANTHER KNOB	3,170	67 km
1998	FOURNEY CREEK	2,579	100 km
2020	CHAMBERS-GRAPE-HICKORY AP	2,421	18 km
2021	UNNAMED	2,201	37 km
2010	BRAMLETT RIDGE	2,200	52 km
2023	BRAMLETT RIDGE FY 23	2,172	52 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,133	52 km
2016	UNNAMED	2,087	83 km
2023	TRAIL RIDGE FY23	2,085	65 km
2020	C-249 LC	2,084	99 km
2013	UNNAMED	1,998	65 km
2014	UNNAMED	1,911	52 km
2020	PARSONS MTN SOUTH LC	1,878	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	5.6 in	Coldest
February	45°F (7°C)	4.9 in
March	52°F (11°C)	5.9 in	Wettest
April	60°F (15°C)	4.2 in
May	67°F (20°C)	4.8 in
June	74°F (24°C)	4.2 in
July	78°F (25°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	77°F (25°C)	4.7 in
September	71°F (22°C)	4.1 in	Driest
October	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
November	51°F (11°C)	4.4 in
December	44°F (7°C)	4.7 in

Westminster has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 41°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 56.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.9") and September the driest (4.1").

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