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Weather & Climate in Charles Town, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Charles Town experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 302 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 39.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 517 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.1°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 517 ft (158 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,168/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2640°N, 77.8813°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Jefferson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Eastern Wv Regional/Shepherd Field (MRB) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 52.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 41 km | 7 km |
| Jun 13, 2019 | 9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania | M3.4 | 133 km | 27 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 146 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 120 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 8 km | 5 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 115 km | 1 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 121 km | 1 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 110 km | — |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2020 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Sep 17, 2011 | 11 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.6 | 149 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 282 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 286 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
346 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 356 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF4 | 100 km | 38.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 78 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 83 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 86 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 88 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 26, 1978 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 70 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1961 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF3 | 98 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 62 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 63 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 64 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 32 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 27 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 72 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 17 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 83 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 89 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 67 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,460 | 85 km |
| 2012 | NEIGHBOR MTN FIRE | 1,986 | 76 km |
| 2011 | SMITH RUN FIRE | 1,908 | 57 km |
| 2024 | DOVE HOLLOW | 1,634 | 97 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,572 | 75 km |
| 1995 | SHENGAP | 1,385 | 100 km |
| 2006 | CARDINAL | 1,345 | 88 km |
| 2012 | POINT 2 | 1,126 | 59 km |
| 2024 | ROCKY BRANCH | 1,018 | 74 km |
| 2014 | BEAR DEN | 945 | 93 km |
| 2024 | SERENITY RIDGE FIRE | 877 | 81 km |
| 1999 | DOG SLAUGH | 838 | 97 km |
| 1999 | NCO | 816 | 91 km |
| 2019 | KENNEDY PEAK | 769 | 75 km |
| 2008 | CHICKEN RANCH | 737 | 97 km |
| 2012 | WOLF GAP | 710 | 78 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 696 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 in | |
| April | 53°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.8 in |
Charles Town has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 32°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (2.5").