Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cheriton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°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 44.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 22 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average
39°F (4°C)
July Average
78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
22 ft (7 m)
Area
1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density
503/sq mi
Coordinates
37.2944°N, 75.9655°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Northampton County County
Nearest Airport
Norfolk International (ORF) 31 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall44.5"
17% above US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)4.17"
Driest Month (Apr)2.83"
Air Quality
AQI Median
35.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
44.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
96.9 / 100
Community Resilience
97.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Aug 3, 1995
13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia
M2.9
65 km
1 km
Feb 9, 2023
29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia
M2.6
114 km
11 km
Apr 29, 2000
3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia
M2.5
143 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
201 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
273 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
149 km
2012
Sandy
Category 1
92 mph
268 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
50 km
2010
Earl
Category 1
86 mph
265 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
75 mph
289 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
220 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
168 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
253 km
1999
Floyd
Category 1
81 mph
56 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
144 km
1996
Bertha
Category 1
75 mph
294 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
159 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
157 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
46 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
92 km
1981
Dennis
Category 1
75 mph
286 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
208 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 307 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 30, 2023
EF3
47 km
4.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
67 km
46.9 mi
2
Apr 28, 2008
EF3
91 km
24.0 mi
0
Aug 6, 1993
EF3
63 km
2.9 mi
0
Oct 14, 1986
EF3
87 km
5.0 mi
0
Sep 5, 1979
EF3
53 km
2.5 mi
0
Jul 4, 1967
EF3
99 km
2.0 mi
0
May 3, 2021
EF2
91 km
4.4 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
49 km
15.6 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
96 km
3.1 mi
0
Mar 31, 2017
EF2
66 km
8.9 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
98 km
22.6 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
43 km
2.8 mi
0
Sep 4, 1999
EF2
46 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 6, 1993
EF2
59 km
2.5 mi
0
May 2, 1989
EF2
76 km
5.0 mi
0
Aug 3, 1988
EF2
49 km
0.2 mi
0
May 8, 1984
EF2
98 km
15.0 mi
0
May 11, 1981
EF2
76 km
0.2 mi
0
Sep 5, 1979
EF2
46 km
0.5 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
93 km
2008
SOUTH 1
5,940
93 km
2008
MCPHERSON ROAD
2,087
91 km
2014
NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH
1,876
86 km
2010
1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10
1,506
83 km
2005
1.1.2 NORTH MARSH
1,418
83 km
2005
1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH
1,338
85 km
1998
SE BLOCKS
1,278
92 km
1994
UNIT 5
1,148
83 km
2009
1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09
1,087
88 km
2005
LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB
982
74 km
1991
UNNAMED
908
87 km
2011
1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11
829
86 km
2003
1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK
782
86 km
2012
UNNAMED
735
96 km
2002
UNNAMED
697
98 km
2007
1-3-7 INDIAN MARSH
676
88 km
2006
1.3.1 GREAT MARSH
669
87 km
2011
1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH FY11
666
85 km
1996
UNNAMED
648
85 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
39°F (4°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
February
40°F (5°C)
3.3 in
March
47°F (9°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
78°F (26°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
77°F (25°C)
4.2 in
Wettest
September
71°F (22°C)
3.5 in
October
61°F (16°C)
2.8 in
November
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
December
44°F (6°C)
3.4 in
Cheriton has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 39°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and April the driest (2.8").