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Weather & Climate in Clifton, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clifton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 297 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 199 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 55.5°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 199 ft (61 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,284/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.7801°N, 77.3860°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Manassas Park city County |
| Nearest Airport | Manassas Regional/Harry P Davis Field (MNZ) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
44 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M5.8 | 108 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 106 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 124 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 54 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 104 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 122 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 106 km | 3 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 150 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 104 km | 19 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 107 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 110 km | 9 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 106 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 123 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 221 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 233 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | - | 248 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 245 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 254 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
461 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 370 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF4 | 31 km | 38.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 57 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 46 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 39 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 87 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 74 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 27 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 26, 1978 | EF3 | 32 km | 0.7 mi | 1 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 5 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 69 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF2 | 48 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 73 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 39 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 33 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 81 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 83 km |
| 2012 | NEIGHBOR MTN FIRE | 1,986 | 86 km |
| 2011 | SMITH RUN FIRE | 1,908 | 69 km |
| 1999 | BOOTEN GAP | 1,652 | 99 km |
| 2012 | POINT 2 | 1,126 | 84 km |
| 2024 | ROCKY BRANCH | 1,018 | 83 km |
| 2011 | CHOPPING ROAD | 889 | 95 km |
| 2024 | SERENITY RIDGE FIRE | 877 | 98 km |
| 1999 | NCO | 816 | 26 km |
| 2019 | KENNEDY PEAK | 769 | 94 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 696 | 84 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 618 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.0 in |
Clifton has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 33°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (2.6").