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Weather & Climate in Fairlea, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairlea experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 71°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 41.5 inches. The area receives 29.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,166 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,166 ft (660 m) |
| Area | 3.7 sq mi (9.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 339/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7752°N, 80.4587°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Greenbrier County County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 75.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 29 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 102 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 100 km | 0 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 40 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 26 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 71 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 92 km | 7 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 86 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 57 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 125 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 96 km | 0 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 144 km | 11 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 68 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 65 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 120 km | 0 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 95 km | 17 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 27 km | 13 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 130 km | 21 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 | 272 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
59 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 60 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 49 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 72 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 59 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 84 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 16 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 22 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 1 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 65 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 65 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1953 | EF2 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF1 | 95 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF1 | 66 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYFORD MOUNTAIN (31,509 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 85 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 90 km |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 72 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 74 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 87 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 26 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 92 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 93 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 99 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 60 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 71 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 36 km |
| 1991 | PEACHTREE | 6,635 | 93 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 84 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 98 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 88 km |
| 1991 | MILBURN | 4,777 | 80 km |
| 1999 | SCHYLER FORK | 4,417 | 86 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 60 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 2.9 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.0 in |
Fairlea has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 29°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (2.9").