South Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan Resource Page
South Carolina State Climate Summary
South Carolina’s geographic position at subtropical latitudes and adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean gives it a humid climate with hot summers and mild winters. The Appalachian Mountains to the north and west tend to partially shield the state from cold air masses approaching from the northwest, making winters milder than those in locations to the west of the mountains. However, the mountains are not high enough to fully block these air masses, so occasional periods of very cold conditions occur. Clockwise circulation of air around the Bermuda High, a semipermanent high-pressure system in the North Atlantic Ocean, provides a persistent flow of warm, moist air from the Atlantic during the warmer half of the year. The annual average (1991–2020 normals) temperature varies across the state from the mid-50s (°F) in the mountains to the mid-60s (°F) along the coast. During January, average temperatures range from 40°F in the north to around 47°F in the Lowcountry. Similar northwest to southeast temperature gradients also occur in the summer, with average temperatures in July ranging from 76°F in the northwest to 82°F in the Midlands and coastal Lowcountry.
Key Points:
- Temperatures in South Carolina have risen more than 1°F since the beginning of the 20th century, less than the warming for the contiguous United States. Under a higher emissions pathway, historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century, including increases in extreme heat events.
- Future changes in precipitation are uncertain, but extreme precipitation is projected to increase. In addition, projected increases in temperature will likely increase the intensity of naturally occurring droughts.
- Sea level at Charleston has risen by 1.3 inches per decade, nearly double the global sea level rise, since reliable record keeping began in 1921. Global sea level is projected to rise another 1 to 4 feet by 2100, with greater rises projected for South Carolina. Rising sea levels pose widespread and continuing threats to both natural and built environments in coastal South Carolina.
From Runkle et al. (2022). Click here for the full report.
| High Temperature | Low Temperature | 24-hour Precipitation | 24-Hour Snowfall | 24-Hour Snow Depth | Tornadoes | Wettest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 113°F June 29, 2012 Columbia Univ of South Carolina |
-19°F January 21, 1985 Caesars Head |
14.80 in. September 16, 1999 Myrtle Beach |
24 in. February 9-10, 1973 Rimini |
29 in. February 18, 1969 Caesars Head |
26 | 1964, 69.32 in. |
Temperature, precipitation, and snowfall records obtained from NOAA/NCEI’s State Climate Extremes Committee. Tornado information obtained from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (average annual number of tornadoes from 1995-2024). Wettest year obtained from NOAA/NCEI’s Climate at Glance product.
Table last updated September 28, 2025.
South Carolina Resource Links
- State of South Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023)
- FEMA Resources for South Carolina
- South Carolina State Climatology Office
- Climate and Hazard Mitigation Planning Tool (CHaMP)
- Convergence of Climate-Health Vulnerabilities
Have questions about these resources, or looking for something else? Contact the South Carolina State Climatology Office.