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Environment in South Carolina

Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.

Monitored days with good air quality
71.3%
2025 · U.S. EPA AirData
Wildfires Reported
~2,800
2023
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
25.1%
2025 · U.S. Drought Monitor
Daily water withdrawals
6.8 B gallons
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
69.3
2021 · U.S. EIA State Energy Data System
Average annual temperature
63.7
2025 · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Air Quality

South Carolina meets federal air-quality standards statewide, with ozone the main summer concern.

Monitored days with good air quality
71.3%
2025 · U.S. EPA AirData
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
0.1%
2025 · U.S. EPA AirData
Main urban monitor
Columbia / Greenville
Days rated good
~88%
Primary pollutant
Ozone

Monitored days with good air quality

1990–2025
71.3%

U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored South Carolina counties.

Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse

1990–2025
0.1%

U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).

Wildfires

South Carolina Forestry Commission crews responded to about 2,800 wildfires burning roughly 12,000 acres in 2023.

Wildfires Reported
~2,800
2023
Acres Burned
~12,000
2023
  • •The 2009 Highway 31 wildfire near Myrtle Beach was one of the most destructive in South Carolina history, burning nearly 20,000 acres.

Drought

South Carolina experienced periodic moderate drought conditions across roughly 8% of the state on average during 2023-2024.

Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
25.1%
2025 · U.S. Drought Monitor
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
0.0%
2025 · U.S. Drought Monitor
Share of State in Drought (avg)
~8%
2023-2024 avg

Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average

2000–2025
25.1%

U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.

Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)

2000–2025
0%

U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.

  • •South Carolina's State Climatology Office issues drought response committee advisories by region rather than a single statewide status.

Water Usage

Most South Carolina withdrawals cool power plants on its major river systems.

Daily water withdrawals
6.8 B gallons
Thermoelectric share
~80%
Main source
Santee, Savannah and Pee Dee rivers

Emissions

South Carolina emitted an estimated 65 million metric tons of energy-related CO2 in 2022, below most similarly sized states.

Energy-related CO₂ emissions
69.3
2021 · U.S. EIA State Energy Data System
Transportation CO₂ emissions
32.6
2021 · U.S. EIA State Energy Data System
Total CO2 Emissions
~65 million metric tons
2022 est.

Energy-related CO₂ emissions

1970–2021
69.3▲ 64%

U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOSCA).

Transportation CO₂ emissions

1970–2021
32.6▲ 131%

U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOSCA).

  • •South Carolina's heavy reliance on nuclear power keeps its per-capita electricity emissions well below the national average.

Climate Indicators

Hurricanes, coastal flooding and extreme heat are South Carolina’s dominant climate risks.

Average annual temperature
63.7
2025 · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Annual precipitation
43.1
2025 · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Warming since 1900
+1.5 °F
Main hazard
Hurricanes and coastal flooding

Average annual temperature

1895–2025
63.7▲ 4%

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.

Annual precipitation

1895–2025
43.11▼ 11%

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.

  • •Charleston now experiences several times more tidal flood days per year than in the 1970s.
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