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Weather & Climate in Fairfield, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 318 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 1,581 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,581 ft (482 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 701/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8828°N, 79.2829°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rockbridge County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
50 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 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 117 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 90 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 122 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 120 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 81 km | 15 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 | 119 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 79 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 133 km | 18 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 114 km | 3 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 95 km | 13 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 114 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 85 km | 8 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 118 km | 0 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 145 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 | 192 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
111 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 15 fatalities, 65 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 62 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 82 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 86 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 57 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 90 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 93 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 68 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 25 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 25, 1977 | EF2 | 91 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 92 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 1963 | EF2 | 28 km | 0.1 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 | 33 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 79 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 35 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 19 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 72 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 47 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 78 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 28 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 28 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 63 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 63 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 66 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 95 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 12 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 53 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 48 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 69 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 85 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 66 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.1 in |
Fairfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 30°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (3.0").