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Weather & Climate in Atkins, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Atkins experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°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 2,572 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,572 ft (784 m) |
| Area | 6.2 sq mi (16.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 166/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8670°N, 81.3986°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Smyth County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
41 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 150 km | 17 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 15 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 91 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 111 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 131 km | 13 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 57 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 126 km | 2 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 58 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 87 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 58 km | 11 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 135 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 76 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 132 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 66 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 67 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 62 km | 0 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 61 km | 9 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 |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 243 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
95 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 134 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 55 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 84 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 57 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 47 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 34 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2024 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | EF1 | 86 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2023 | EF1 | 86 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2022 | EF1 | 45 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (22,282 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 93 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 99 km |
| 1991 | CANEBRAKE | 8,152 | 100 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,114 | 98 km |
| 1991 | MUD LICK CREEK | 7,111 | 86 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 97 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 49 km |
| 1991 | BRADSHAW | 5,029 | 62 km |
| 1987 | KIWIS CREEK | 4,879 | 49 km |
| 2001 | CROCKETT BRANCH | 4,702 | 58 km |
| 2001 | MOUNTAIN FORK | 4,393 | 57 km |
| 1987 | SANDY HUFF BRANCH | 4,022 | 77 km |
| 2001 | ELK CREEK | 3,983 | 99 km |
| 1987 | SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER | 3,490 | 51 km |
| 1987 | NANCY FORK | 3,198 | 75 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,168 | 97 km |
| 1999 | MULLINS BRANCH | 3,148 | 87 km |
| 1991 | MULLENS BRANCH | 3,059 | 88 km |
| 1995 | JIM BRANCH | 3,019 | 63 km |
| 1991 | JOHNSON HOLLOW | 2,987 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 in |
Atkins has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 32°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.4") and November the driest (3.1").