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Weather & Climate in Forest, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°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 43.6 inches. The area receives 12.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 793 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.2°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 793 ft (242 m) |
| Area | 13.6 sq mi (35.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 917/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3749°N, 79.2771°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lynchburg city County |
| Nearest Airport | Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field (LYH) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 49.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | 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 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 132 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 74 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 128 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 | 103 km | 15 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 135 km | 3 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 126 km | 18 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 106 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 130 km | 3 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 130 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 128 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 66 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 72 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 139 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 133 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 159 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 289 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 1 | 75 mph | 247 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
132 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 84 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 6 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 40 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 74 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 8 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 68 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 95 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 47 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 94 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 15 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1994 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 81 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 13, 1983 | EF2 | 74 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1977 | EF2 | 35 km | 3.6 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 | 65 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 91 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 28 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 41 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 79 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 77 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 84 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 84 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 60 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 98 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 81 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 64 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 97 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 72 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 30 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 71 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 27 km |
| 2010 | PATTERSON MTN | 2,443 | 64 km |
| 2017 | GOSHEN PASS | 2,309 | 64 km |
| 2010 | NORTH SHORT MTN | 2,304 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (4°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 in |
Forest has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (3.1").