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Weather & Climate in Chatham, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chatham enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°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 47.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 736 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.6°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 736 ft (224 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 756/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8119°N, 79.4001°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pittsylvania County County |
| Nearest Airport | Danville Regional (DAN) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 109 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 144 km | 15 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 137 km | 18 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 142 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 72 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 110 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 135 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 96 km | 0 km |
| Mar 28, 2001 | 2 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.6 | 137 km | 0 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Jun 17, 2023 | 2 km N of Pembroke, Virginia | M2.6 | 125 km | 9 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 107 km | 4 km |
| Mar 28, 2011 | 2 km S of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.5 | 125 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 152 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 264 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 295 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 259 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 190 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | - | 281 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
173 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 136 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 44 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 59 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 67 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 69 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 84 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 11 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 63 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF2 | 91 km | 32.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 27 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 54 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 53 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 50 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 52 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MATTS CREEK (11,028 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 87 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 81 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 72 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 87 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 95 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 89 km |
| 1995 | COVE | 1,675 | 95 km |
| 2015 | SHORT HILLS MOUNTAIN | 1,637 | 94 km |
| 2008 | BLACKHORSE | 1,537 | 75 km |
| 1999 | FORT LEWIS MTN. | 1,525 | 84 km |
| 1991 | PINEY MOUNTAIN | 1,464 | 92 km |
| 1999 | PURGATORY MTN. | 1,366 | 85 km |
| 2022 | VAF220152 | 1,173 | 75 km |
| 2006 | QUARRY | 1,168 | 75 km |
| 2008 | TOTIERS FERRY | 1,075 | 28 km |
| 2002 | BUCK MTN | 905 | 66 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 706 | 100 km |
| 2011 | PICKLE BRANCH | 669 | 95 km |
| 2002 | SKILLERN | 629 | 88 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 591 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
Chatham has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and December the driest (3.3").