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Weather & Climate in Alderson, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alderson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 305 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 40.7 inches. The area receives 12.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,596 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.9°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,596 ft (486 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,328/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7297°N, 80.6420°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Summers County County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 40.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 88.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 45 km | 15 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 100 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 29 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 10 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 82 km | 7 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 78 km | 13 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 77 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 127 km | 11 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 96 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 126 km | 13 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 46 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 57 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 53 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 113 km | 0 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 43 km | 13 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 84 km | 17 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 86 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 285 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 60 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 56 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 34 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 51 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 51 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 19 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 16 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 16 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 72 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 53 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1953 | EF2 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF1 | 72 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 99 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2021 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2021 | EF1 | 73 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYFORD MOUNTAIN (31,509 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 72 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 75 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 86 km |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 89 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 86 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 66 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 75 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 42 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 78 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 98 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 88 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 77 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 64 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 50 km |
| 1991 | PEACHTREE | 6,635 | 77 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 74 km |
| 1987 | JOES BRANCH | 6,340 | 92 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 82 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 77 km |
| 1991 | ELSIE CREEK | 5,771 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.0 in |
Alderson has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 31°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (2.8").