Big Island, VA

Full City Profile · Virginia · Lynchburg city County

5.0 /5.0
A+ Excellent
103 Population 126/sq mi density
$137,500 Home Value $195,070 Zillow
56°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
5.0 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Big Island enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 53.0 inches. The area receives 15.5 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

36°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average56.2°F
4% above US avg
January Average36°F (2°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation818 ft (249 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density126/sq mi
Coordinates37.5334°N, 79.3632°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyLynchburg city County
Nearest AirportLynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field (LYH)
17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 53.0"
39% above US avg
Snowfall 15.5"
Wettest Month (Apr) 5.22"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.37"

Air Quality

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

PM2.5 (Fine Particles)7.7 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability49.2 / 100
Community Resilience76.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought No Rating
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

48 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M5.8. Most recent: M3.0 on May 6, 2025.

Aug 23, 2011 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia M5.8 132 km
Aug 25, 2011 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia M4.5 131 km
Aug 24, 2011 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia M4.2 131 km
Oct 21, 1998 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia M3.8 83 km
Mar 15, 1991 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia M3.8 130 km
May 5, 2003 Virginia M3.6 125 km
Apr 22, 1991 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia M3.5 87 km
Sep 1, 2011 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia M3.4 134 km
Aug 24, 2011 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia M3.4 129 km
Sep 22, 2001 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia M3.2 101 km
Sep 13, 2017 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia M3.2 118 km
Jan 30, 2012 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia M3.1 130 km
Dec 4, 2001 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia M3.1 124 km
May 22, 2014 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia M3.1 114 km
Oct 12, 2011 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia M3.0 130 km
May 16, 2009 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia M3.0 65 km
Mar 26, 2012 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia M3.0 128 km
May 6, 2025 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia M3.0 79 km
Jan 22, 1995 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia M2.9 137 km
Mar 15, 2015 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia M2.8 133 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 1. Most recent: Isabel (2003, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2003 Isabel Category 2 174 km
1996 Fran Category 1 266 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

107 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF3. Total: 15 fatalities, 62 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Apr 19, 2019 EF3 89 km 0
Apr 15, 2018 EF3 25 km 0
Feb 24, 2016 EF3 56 km 1
Jun 16, 1966 EF3 52 km 0
Sep 30, 1959 EF3 87 km 11
Sep 27, 2024 EF2 90 km 0
May 27, 2022 EF2 17 km 0
Nov 2, 2018 EF2 92 km 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 87 km 1
Sep 17, 2004 EF2 49 km 0
Apr 28, 2002 EF2 28 km 0
Jul 15, 1996 EF2 27 km 0
Jun 9, 1996 EF2 53 km 0
Jun 22, 1990 EF2 98 km 0
May 4, 1990 EF2 63 km 2
Oct 13, 1983 EF2 91 km 0
Jun 25, 1977 EF2 52 km 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF2 64 km 0
Jul 12, 1964 EF2 62 km 0
Nov 29, 1963 EF2 63 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: RICH HOLE (15,923 ac, 2012).

Year Name Acres Distance
2012 RICH HOLE 15,923 46 km
2012 ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES 11,055 76 km
2023 MATTS CREEK 11,028 9 km
2016 MOUNT PLEASANT 11,001 28 km
2022 UNNAMED 7,791 61 km
2012 BARBOURS CREEK. 7,244 65 km
2014 ARCHER KNOB RX 6,093 66 km
2022 UNNAMED 5,893 66 km
2008 ST MARYS 4,373 46 km
1999 SHOP RUN 4,261 86 km
2012 UNNAMED 4,219 62 km
2008 ANGEL 4,129 59 km
2019 UNNAMED 3,569 78 km
2021 UNNAMED 3,518 60 km
2002 MARBLEYARD 3,123 12 km
2008 LITTLE CUBA 3,017 62 km
2006 PEAVINE COMPLEX 2,950 9 km
2018 LOCKRIDGE RX 2,473 85 km
2010 PATTERSON MTN 2,443 52 km
2017 GOSHEN PASS 2,309 45 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 36°F (2°C) 4.3 in Coldest
February 39°F (4°C) 3.4 in Driest
March 46°F (8°C) 4.4 in
April 56°F (13°C) 5.2 in Wettest
May 64°F (18°C) 5.0 in
June 72°F (22°C) 5.0 in
July 76°F (24°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 75°F (24°C) 3.8 in
September 68°F (20°C) 4.9 in
October 57°F (14°C) 4.0 in
November 47°F (8°C) 4.1 in
December 39°F (4°C) 4.6 in

Big Island has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.0 inches, with April being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (3.4").

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