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Weather & Climate in Basye, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Basye experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 297 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 1,699 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,699 ft (518 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 163/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8094°N, 78.7695°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Shenandoah County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 59.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 55.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
35 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 | 124 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 122 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 140 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 150 km | 13 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 128 km | 7 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 120 km | 3 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 93 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 118 km | 3 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 122 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 73 km | 2 km |
| Feb 19, 2012 | 12 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 121 km | 3 km |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 2020 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 118 km | 8 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 | 253 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
173 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 83 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 90 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 63 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 24 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 95 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 60 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 89 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2004 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 17 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 68 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 1993 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 47 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 56 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 23 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 92 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 92 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 30 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 59 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 59 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 52 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 38 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 72 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 58 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 52 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 35 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,667 | 33 km |
| 2014 | CUB RUN RX | 2,868 | 33 km |
| 2011 | VALLEY | 2,514 | 39 km |
| 2024 | RAMSHORN-GUINN RIDGES RX | 2,469 | 98 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,460 | 22 km |
| 2024 | CAPON | 2,302 | 14 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.3 in | |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 2.4 in |
Basye has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 30°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 36.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (2.3").