Weather & Climate in Zion, SC

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

Zion enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°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 53.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 104 feet.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)

Annual Average	61.9°F
	15% above US avg
January Average	43°F (6°C)
July Average	80°F (27°C)
Sunny Days	301 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	104 ft (32 m)
Area	0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	214/sq mi
Coordinates	34.2588°N, 79.3117°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Dillon County County
Nearest Airport	Florence Regional (FLO) 24 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.2"

40% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.87"

Driest Month (Nov) 2.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	84.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	87.6 / 100
Community Resilience	25.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	No Rating

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

Earthquake History

15 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	121 km	7 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.6	131 km	3 km
Jun 29, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.5	131 km	3 km
Jun 26, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.4	130 km	4 km
May 9, 2022	5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina	M3.3	131 km	4 km
Jan 29, 1994	12 km NNE of Alcolu, South Carolina	M2.9	89 km	2 km
Mar 21, 2011	9 km S of Cordova, North Carolina	M2.9	79 km	8 km
May 10, 2022	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.8	131 km	2 km
Mar 9, 2024	5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.7	131 km	3 km
Jan 5, 2022	5 km SW of Lugoff, South Carolina	M2.6	130 km	0 km
Apr 26, 2025	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.6	130 km	2 km
May 10, 2022	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.6	130 km	2 km
Jan 3, 2022	5 km S of Lugoff, South Carolina	M2.5	128 km	2 km
Sep 15, 2024	6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina	M2.5	130 km	2 km
Jul 29, 2012	7 km NNW of Wallace, South Carolina	M2.5	77 km	14 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

22 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	107 km
2020	Isaias	Category 1	92 mph	85 km
2019	Dorian	Category 3	115 mph	159 km
2018	Florence	Category 2	104 mph	89 km
2016	Matthew	Category 2	98 mph	89 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	162 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	241 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	86 mph	170 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	223 km
2004	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	76 km
2004	Gaston	Category 1	75 mph	143 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	271 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	92 mph	187 km
1999	Floyd	Category 2	104 mph	131 km
1999	Dennis	Category 2	104 mph	227 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 3	115 mph	148 km
1996	Fran	Category 3	115 mph	109 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	134 km
1989	Hugo	Category 4	138 mph	124 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	75 mph	250 km

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

Tornado History

384 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 58 fatalities, 1,390 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Nov 7, 1995	EF4	13 km	0.7 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	59 km	17.0 mi	7
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	49 km	40.0 mi	4
Mar 28, 1984	EF4	66 km	7.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF4	48 km	0.8 mi	0
Feb 15, 2021	EF3	83 km	21.9 mi	3
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	86 km	52.9 mi	2
Nov 16, 2006	EF3	99 km	2.2 mi	8
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	75 km	40.0 mi	12
May 20, 1980	EF3	25 km	10.7 mi	0
Feb 22, 1971	EF3	98 km	85.7 mi	2
Apr 18, 1969	EF3	77 km	77.3 mi	0
Nov 24, 1967	EF3	38 km	3.3 mi	0
Aug 17, 1965	EF3	76 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF3	61 km	21.9 mi	0
Oct 9, 1950	EF3	66 km	2.0 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	88 km	4.6 mi	0
Apr 13, 2020	EF2	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 5, 2019	EF2	88 km	9.3 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	57 km	13.1 mi	1

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HIGHWAY 31 (17,004 acres, 2009).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2009	HIGHWAY 31	17,004	66 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,968	71 km
1997	UNNAMED	3,111	72 km
1991	UNNAMED	3,094	93 km
1985	UNNAMED	2,743	73 km
1986	UNNAMED	2,642	96 km
2008	05/05 RX BURN	2,351	95 km
2001	UNNAMED	2,204	69 km
2007	06-09 RX BURN	2,054	93 km
2022	SCCRR-FY22-RX-PRESCRIBED FIRE	2,039	95 km
2007	LONGBRANCH-ROBESON COMPLEX	1,944	39 km
1998	981406	1,892	88 km
1994	CM 15 16 17	1,871	86 km
2009	UNNAMED	1,870	77 km
2021	SLATES CHURCH FIRE	1,824	81 km
1994	COMP 1112	1,798	95 km
1998	980803	1,780	89 km
2000	2000 1003	1,768	93 km
1999	19990505	1,756	95 km
2008	UNNAMED	1,754	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	43°F (6°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	47°F (8°C)	3.7 in
March	54°F (12°C)	4.4 in
April	62°F (17°C)	2.9 in
May	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in
June	77°F (25°C)	4.8 in
July	80°F (27°C)	5.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	79°F (26°C)	5.6 in
September	74°F (23°C)	3.9 in
October	63°F (17°C)	3.0 in
November	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in	Driest
December	47°F (8°C)	3.3 in

Zion has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 43°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and November the driest (2.8").

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