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Weather & Climate in Amherst, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 683 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 683 ft (208 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 433/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5819°N, 79.0520°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Amherst County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field (LYH) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M5.8 | 105 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 104 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 102 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 57 km | 13 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 97 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 109 km | 15 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 107 km | 3 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 146 km | 18 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 76 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 102 km | 3 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 87 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 92 km | 13 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 102 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 100 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 138 km | 19 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 53 km | 8 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 78 km | 2 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 106 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 155 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 276 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 1 | 75 mph | 267 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
143 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 73 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 33 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 43 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1977 | EF3 | 94 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 26 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 74 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 64 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 36 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 95 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 46 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 63 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 13, 1983 | EF2 | 78 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1977 | EF2 | 63 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1974 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 62 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 34 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 21 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 88 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 78 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 92 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 67 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 67 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 99 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 99 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 99 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 37 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 69 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 79 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 85 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 87 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 99 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 91 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 87 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 in |
Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 30°F in January to 74°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 43.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (3.1").