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Weather & Climate in Clifton Forge, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clifton Forge experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 317 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 39.5 inches. The area receives 10.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,118 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.7°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 317 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,118 ft (341 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,153/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8233°N, 79.8252°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Covington city County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 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 | 130 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 36 km | 15 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 87 km | 18 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 140 km | 7 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 66 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 126 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 125 km | 0 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 100 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 147 km | 13 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 109 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 108 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 130 km | 0 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 89 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 226 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
78 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 42 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 76 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 64 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 64 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 71 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 61 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 53 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 25, 1977 | EF2 | 94 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 70 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 57 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 61 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1964 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 1963 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1953 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF1 | 62 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF1 | 65 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: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 16 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 30 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 43 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 58 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 14 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 34 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 52 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 52 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 85 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 85 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 92 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 60 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 99 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 15 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 53 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 92 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 34 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 31 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 40 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 in |
Clifton Forge has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 32°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (2.8").