What should you know about Spartanburg's weather?
- NWS office
- Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP)
- Climate
- Humid subtropical
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 803 ft
- Coordinates
- 34.95° N, 81.93° W
- Nearest radar
- KGSP · Greer NEXRAD · 17 mi
- County
- Spartanburg County, SC
- Yearly rain
- 49.7 in
- Warmest month
- July · 79.7°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 42.5°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Spartanburg get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 52.8 | 57.0 | 64.4 | 73.2 | 80.3 | 87.2 | 90.3 | 88.5 | 82.7 | 73.1 | 62.9 | 54.9 |
| Low °F | 32.1 | 34.8 | 41.2 | 48.7 | 57.5 | 65.5 | 69.2 | 68.3 | 62.4 | 50.4 | 40.4 | 34.8 |
| Rain (in) | 4.12 | 3.84 | 4.48 | 4.04 | 4.07 | 3.90 | 4.82 | 4.66 | 3.73 | 3.59 | 3.84 | 4.58 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52.8 | 32.1 | 4.12 |
| Feb | 57.0 | 34.8 | 3.84 |
| Mar | 64.4 | 41.2 | 4.48 |
| Apr | 73.2 | 48.7 | 4.04 |
| May | 80.3 | 57.5 | 4.07 |
| Jun | 87.2 | 65.5 | 3.90 |
| Jul | 90.3 | 69.2 | 4.82 |
| Aug | 88.5 | 68.3 | 4.66 |
| Sep | 82.7 | 62.4 | 3.73 |
| Oct | 73.1 | 50.4 | 3.59 |
| Nov | 62.9 | 40.4 | 3.84 |
| Dec | 54.9 | 34.8 | 4.58 |
GREER, SC US · 17 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
Why watch an entire storm line on Spartanburg weather radar?
A tornado-producing circulation can be embedded within the line, so the strongest rain color is not the only feature that matters. On October 23, 2017, an EF1 tornado traveled more than 12 miles to the Westgate area of Spartanburg. As it dissipated, an EF2 tornado formed farther north along Business 85 and damaged warehouses. Keep the approaching line in view and follow official tornado information instead of trying to diagnose rotation from this rainfall layer.
Has a tornado crossed downtown in a rain line?
Yes, the February 6, 2020 storm brought an EF1 tornado through the city within a line of heavy showers and embedded thunderstorms. NWS Greenville-Spartanburg describes its track from Westgate through downtown. The office's radar review identified a tornado debris signature west of downtown alongside strong rotation. That evidence came from specialized radar products, so a simple rain loop cannot tell you whether an embedded circulation is harmless.
Why does earlier rainfall matter along the Pacolet River?
Wet ground can make another period of heavy rain much more consequential for river flooding. During the June 1903 Pacolet flood, Spartanburg recorded 5 inches in the 24 hours ending at 8 am on June 6, after earlier rains had already wetted the soils. The flood swept away the Southern Railway bridge over the Pacolet River near Clifton, despite its 45-foot granite piers. When rain returns across the basin, consider the accumulated wet spell as well as the latest radar frame.
Can nearby communities have very different snow and sleet totals?
Yes, reports from the same storm can differ sharply across Spartanburg County. Around midday on December 9, 2018, a site 3 miles west of Inman reported 11.9 inches of accumulated wintry precipitation, including sleet. The report from Wellford listed 3.0 inches with snow and sleet noted together. Compare local observations and temperatures with the precipitation map rather than treating the whole county as one snow total.
When should you check the Spartanburg radar?
Peak severe-weather months
May to JulyWhen organizing outdoor time around Woodruff, look beyond a single bright cell for a developing line of storms. Recheck the loop as the line approaches rather than relying on its earlier position.
Mainstem river flood season
Late December to late AprilWidespread rain over the Tyger River basin deserves a check of river forecasts as well as radar. The regional mainstem flood season extends through this window, while smaller streams can flood outside it.
What else do people ask about the Spartanburg radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Spartanburg?
NWS Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP) issues forecasts and warnings for Spartanburg. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KGSP, about 17 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Greenville-Spartanburg and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KGSP (Greer NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KGSP, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Greenville-Spartanburg (GSP)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Greenville-Spartanburg office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: GREER, SC US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg: tornado reviews in the summer newsletter
- National Weather Service: historic South Carolina floods
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg: December 2018 winter storm reports
- NWS Greenville-Spartanburg: regional river flood season