Weather & Climate in Bristol, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bristol experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.2 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,799 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 54.7°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,799 ft (548 m) |
| Area | 13.2 sq mi (34.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,323/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6170°N, 82.1576°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Bristol city County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 8.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 86.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 23.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively 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
77 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 | 99 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 115 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 125 km | 23 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 62 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 25 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 146 km | 17 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 95 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 144 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 143 km | 17 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 116 km | 21 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 149 km | 1 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 106 km | 0 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 32 km | 10 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 82 km | 2 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 67 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 | - | 234 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
91 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 15 fatalities, 215 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 19 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 75 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 50 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 34 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 61 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 29 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 100 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 41 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF2 | 86 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 98 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 39 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF2 | 87 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF2 | 53 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1955 | EF2 | 66 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (32,565 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 95 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 91 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 97 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 96 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 89 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 84 km |
| 2000 | BRUSHY RIDGE | 12,405 | 87 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 86 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 82 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 80 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,114 | 94 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,177 | 92 km |
| 2007 | LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) | 7,151 | 91 km |
| 2016 | LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL | 6,751 | 93 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 99 km |
| 2016 | SILVER MINE | 6,082 | 97 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 5,790 | 80 km |
| 1991 | BRADSHAW | 5,029 | 84 km |
| 2014 | North Fork Rx | 4,934 | 72 km |
| 1987 | KIWIS CREEK | 4,879 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 35°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (2.8").