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Weather & Climate in Forest Heights, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest Heights enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 293 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 41.8 inches. The area receives 13.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 69 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 59.3°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 69 ft (21 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,597/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8038°N, 77.0117°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Alexandria city County |
| Nearest Airport | Ronald Reagan Washington Ntl (DCA) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
43 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 | 128 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 127 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 141 km | 16 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 61 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 124 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 128 km | 3 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 143 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 115 km | 19 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 128 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 131 km | 9 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 126 km | 0 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 144 km | 1 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 | 192 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 242 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | — | 237 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 223 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 223 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
467 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 385 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF4 | 32 km | 38.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 88 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 75 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 75 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 14 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 78 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 7 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 26, 1978 | EF3 | 42 km | 0.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 28 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 36 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 62 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 60 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF2 | 66 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 70 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 36 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 41 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 81 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BESTPITCH | 7,743 | 99 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 94 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 95 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 96 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 98 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 96 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 96 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 99 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 99 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 92 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 97 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 87 km |
| 2009 | BECKERS ISLAND | 1,398 | 97 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,260 | 93 km |
| 1999 | FB A 3 | 1,156 | 93 km |
| 2006 | L 2 FB H 2 G 2 | 1,039 | 96 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT E42 AND 43 | 991 | 92 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 942 | 95 km |
| 1999 | NCO | 816 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 in |
Forest Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 37°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.7").