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Weather & Climate in Cape Charles, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cape Charles enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°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 47.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 2.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 12 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.8°F |
| 11% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 12 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 3.6 sq mi (9.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 360/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2497°N, 76.0142°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Poquoson city County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk International (ORF) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 2.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.0.
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 149 km | 19 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 62 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 121 km | 11 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
18 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 98 mph | 199 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 269 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 152 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 274 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 55 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 86 mph | 266 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 75 mph | 284 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 219 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 162 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 251 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 51 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 142 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 1 | 75 mph | 288 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 161 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 158 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 46 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 94 km |
| 1981 | Dennis | Category 1 | 75 mph | 289 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
217 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 312 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 41 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 62 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 85 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 62 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 83 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 47 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 51 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 60 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 44 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 92 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1999 | EF2 | 39 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF2 | 53 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1989 | EF2 | 78 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1988 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF2 | 94 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1983 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1981 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 86 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 87 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 85 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 81 km |
| 2010 | 1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10 | 1,506 | 78 km |
| 2005 | 1.1.2 NORTH MARSH | 1,418 | 78 km |
| 2005 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH | 1,338 | 80 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 86 km |
| 1994 | UNIT 5 | 1,148 | 78 km |
| 2009 | 1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09 | 1,087 | 84 km |
| 1999 | CHURCHES ISLAND 2 | 1,013 | 96 km |
| 2005 | LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB | 982 | 69 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 908 | 83 km |
| 2011 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11 | 829 | 81 km |
| 2003 | 1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK | 782 | 82 km |
| 2007 | 1-3-7 INDIAN MARSH | 676 | 83 km |
| 2006 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH | 669 | 83 km |
| 2011 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH FY11 | 666 | 80 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 648 | 80 km |
| 2009 | 1-3-1 GREAT MARSH FY09 B | 636 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 44°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Cape Charles has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and April the driest (2.8").