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Weather & Climate in Drakes Branch, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Drakes Branch enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°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 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 377 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.5°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 377 ft (115 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 115/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.9933°N, 78.6009°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lunenburg County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field (LYH) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 96.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 7.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 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 | 118 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 120 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 104 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 50 km | 13 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 91 km | 13 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 116 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 119 km | 3 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 127 km | 13 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 135 km | 19 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 119 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 54 km | 8 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 120 km | 0 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 131 km | 2 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 119 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 300 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 253 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 87 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 216 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 260 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 239 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 200 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 256 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
203 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 81 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 68 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 35 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF3 | 78 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 78 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 57 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 93 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1977 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 83 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 80 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 29 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2018 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2018 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 72 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 50 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 70 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 52 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 78 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 76 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MATTS CREEK (11,028 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 100 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 97 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 96 km |
| 2008 | OLD STAGE ROAD | 2,238 | 96 km |
| 2016 | EADES HOLLOW | 1,564 | 90 km |
| 1991 | PINEY MOUNTAIN | 1,464 | 95 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 87 km |
| 2008 | TOTIERS FERRY | 1,075 | 82 km |
| 1995 | NORWOOD | 999 | 76 km |
| 2008 | GOLD HILL | 807 | 72 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 96 km |
| 2007 | FRIAR | 722 | 97 km |
| 1998 | DAVIS CREE | 579 | 97 km |
| 2010 | GLENWOOD COMPLEX (FALLING ROCK) | 533 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 47°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 3.3 in |
Drakes Branch has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.1") and November the driest (3.1").