Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Castalia enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°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 48.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 306 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
59.1°F
9% above US avg
January Average
40°F (4°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
306 ft (93 m)
Area
0.8 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density
293/sq mi
Coordinates
36.0823°N, 78.0576°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Franklin County County
Nearest Airport
Rocky Mount/Wilson Regional (RWI) 18 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.3"
27% above US avg
Snowfall1.7"
Wettest Month (Aug)4.61"
Driest Month (Apr)3.07"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
51.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
38.4 / 100
Community Resilience
31.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.5.
Sep 3, 2001
Virginia
M2.5
144 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
246 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
229 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
205 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
238 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
203 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
171 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
229 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
249 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
260 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
76 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
276 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
121 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
115 mph
151 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
114 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
127 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
285 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
109 mph
292 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
184 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
240 km
1984
Diana
Category 4
132 mph
233 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
352 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 45 fatalities, 767 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988
EF4
67 km
83.0 mi
4
Mar 28, 1984
EF4
87 km
28.0 mi
16
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
26 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
49 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
19 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
82 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
100 km
17.9 mi
12
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
39 km
8.2 mi
1
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
88 km
160.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1986
EF3
82 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
99 km
9.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
77 km
6.0 mi
6
Apr 19, 1978
EF3
99 km
35.6 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
81 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
74 km
8.5 mi
0
Mar 24, 1969
EF3
90 km
0.1 mi
1
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
51 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
35 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
78 km
9.5 mi
0
May 13, 2019
EF2
45 km
17.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: LYNCH ROAD (1,824 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
21 km
2008
POCAHONTAS ROAD
1,146
90 km
2008
SYCAMORE SHORES
1,044
53 km
2008
HIGHWAY 1
766
37 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
40°F (4°C)
3.8 in
Coldest
February
42°F (6°C)
3.6 in
March
49°F (10°C)
4.1 in
April
58°F (15°C)
3.1 in
Driest
May
66°F (19°C)
4.1 in
June
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
July
79°F (26°C)
4.5 in
Warmest
August
77°F (25°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
September
71°F (22°C)
3.8 in
October
59°F (15°C)
3.2 in
November
51°F (10°C)
3.2 in
December
42°F (6°C)
3.2 in
Castalia has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 40°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.7 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.6") and April the driest (3.1").