Weather & Climate in Blacksburg, VA

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

Blacksburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°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 42.6 inches. The area receives 24.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,067 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (-0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	52.1°F
	4% below US avg
January Average	32°F (-0°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,067 ft (630 m)
Area	19.9 sq mi (51.6 km²)
Population Density	2,287/sq mi
Coordinates	37.2313°N, 80.4267°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Montgomery County County
Nearest Airport	Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 42.6"

12% above US avg

Snowfall 24.7"

Wettest Month (Jul) 3.90"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.60"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	47.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	26.6 / 100
Community Resilience	56.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

33 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	81 km	15 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	148 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	108 km	2 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	36 km	18 km
Dec 4, 2001	9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia	M3.1	62 km	9 km
May 16, 2009	2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia	M3.0	38 km	13 km
Jun 28, 1991	4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia	M3.0	137 km	7 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	150 km	10 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	38 km	9 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	132 km	11 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	33 km	0 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	35 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	37 km	4 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	63 km	0 km
Aug 30, 2010	7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee	M2.7	142 km	11 km
Jun 21, 2017	1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia	M2.7	138 km	17 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	144 km	5 km
Nov 25, 2009	14 km S of Arrington, Virginia	M2.7	142 km	0 km
Aug 18, 2000	2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia	M2.7	43 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2011	14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M2.7	78 km	13 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 1	75 mph	249 km
1996	Fran	Category 2	75 mph	274 km
1989	Hugo	Category 1	—	288 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

96 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 101 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 19, 2019	EF3	63 km	8.1 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	82 km	32.2 mi	1
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	89 km	9.2 mi	0
May 27, 2022	EF2	95 km	6.3 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	62 km	1.9 mi	0
Oct 7, 2014	EF2	80 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 2011	EF2	39 km	1.9 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	93 km	4.9 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	71 km	8.8 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	57 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF2	91 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1996	EF2	77 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 1996	EF2	60 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 1994	EF2	79 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 22, 1990	EF2	45 km	5.0 mi	0
Aug 21, 1977	EF2	57 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1977	EF2	97 km	3.6 mi	0
Jul 11, 1976	EF2	43 km	4.1 mi	0
Apr 24, 1975	EF2	61 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF2	36 km	6.5 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	99 km
2012	ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES	11,055	66 km
2023	MATTS CREEK	11,028	96 km
2022	UNNAMED	7,791	96 km
2012	BARBOURS CREEK.	7,244	51 km
1987	SAMS BRANCH	5,872	86 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,219	97 km
2008	ANGEL	4,129	41 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,518	54 km
1987	SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER	3,490	92 km
2006	BULL MOUNTAIN	3,300	62 km
2002	MARBLEYARD	3,123	93 km
1991	MULLENS BRANCH	3,059	90 km
2008	LITTLE CUBA	3,017	42 km
2010	PATTERSON MTN	2,443	59 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	81 km
1987	UNNAMED	2,038	49 km
1986	TUCKER	1,976	59 km
1987	ALLEN JCT.	1,918	93 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,686	96 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (-0°C)	2.6 in	Coldest, Driest
February	35°F (2°C)	2.8 in
March	43°F (6°C)	3.4 in
April	52°F (11°C)	3.4 in
May	60°F (16°C)	3.9 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.4 in
July	72°F (22°C)	3.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	71°F (21°C)	3.5 in
September	65°F (18°C)	3.4 in
October	54°F (12°C)	3.5 in
November	44°F (7°C)	3.0 in
December	36°F (2°C)	2.7 in

Blacksburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 32°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (2.6").

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