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Weather & Climate in Big Stone Gap East, VA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Big Stone Gap East experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 299 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 56.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,532 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average54.5°F
1% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,532 ft (467 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density896/sq mi
Coordinates36.8793°N, 82.7433°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyNorton city County
Nearest AirportFoothills Regional (MRN)
97 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.0"
47% above US avg
Snowfall 9.2"
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.65"
Driest Month (Oct) 3.11"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score1.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability85.3 / 100
Community Resilience47.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

83 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Nov 10, 2012 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky M4.2 40 km 17 km
Aug 17, 1990 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky M4.0 57 km 1 km
Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 83 km 23 km
Jan 20, 2020 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M3.8 125 km 35 km
Sep 17, 2004 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky M3.7 112 km 1 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 67 km 5 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 113 km 2 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 110 km 17 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 145 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 122 km 17 km
Nov 8, 1990 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky M3.2 36 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 124 km 14 km
Jan 27, 2009 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky M3.2 124 km 26 km
Jan 17, 1999 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky M3.1 94 km 1 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 87 km 21 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 127 km 7 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 66 km 0 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 126 km 2 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 92 km 10 km
Jul 17, 2019 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee M3.0 97 km 13 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 — 284 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

109 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 237 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 94 km 15.8 mi 6
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 75 km 19.6 mi 3
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 86 km 13.6 mi 2
May 9, 1988 EF3 95 km 5.0 mi 1
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 83 km 1.9 mi 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 73 km 8.4 mi 1
Mar 2, 2012 EF2 90 km 2.6 mi 0
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 87 km 12.0 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 66 km 8.8 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 88 km 2.2 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 27 km 1.7 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 71 km 1.1 mi 0
May 18, 1995 EF2 79 km 24.0 mi 0
Jul 6, 1980 EF2 56 km 11.5 mi 0
Jan 25, 1975 EF2 87 km 3.2 mi 0
Apr 22, 1967 EF2 76 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 12, 1967 EF2 85 km 16.0 mi 1
Jun 3, 1962 EF2 58 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 8, 1957 EF2 68 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 5, 1955 EF2 47 km 4.3 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 66,345 63 km
1987 UNNAMED 66,145 85 km
1987 UNNAMED 41,794 98 km
1987 UNNAMED 32,565 75 km
1991 UNNAMED 22,282 81 km
1991 TUG RIVER 20,813 100 km
2001 UNNAMED 18,013 74 km
1999 UNNAMED 17,759 69 km
1991 UNNAMED 17,406 50 km
1999 UNNAMED 17,328 49 km
1994 UNNAMED 15,526 48 km
1987 UNNAMED 15,138 26 km
1991 UNNAMED 14,264 95 km
1987 UNNAMED 13,124 82 km
1987 UNNAMED 11,817 94 km
1991 UNNAMED 11,117 91 km
1999 UNNAMED 10,990 54 km
1987 UNNAMED 9,572 49 km
1999 UNNAMED 9,384 77 km
1991 UNNAMED 9,084 54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 34°F (1°C) 3.6 in Coldest
February 35°F (2°C) 3.7 in
March 44°F (6°C) 4.3 in
April 52°F (11°C) 3.9 in
May 60°F (16°C) 4.6 in
June 68°F (20°C) 4.0 in
July 74°F (23°C) 4.7 in Warmest, Wettest
August 71°F (21°C) 3.9 in
September 65°F (18°C) 3.5 in
October 54°F (12°C) 3.1 in Driest
November 44°F (7°C) 3.7 in
December 36°F (2°C) 3.7 in

Big Stone Gap East has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 34°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (3.1").

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