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Weather & Climate in Franklin, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Franklin enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°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 47.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 61 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.4°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 61 ft (19 m) |
| Area | 8.4 sq mi (21.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 992/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6840°N, 76.9414°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Franklin city County |
| Nearest Airport | Franklin Regional (FKN) 2 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 7.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 146 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 138 km | 13 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 140 km | 19 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 82 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 128 km | 0 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.6 | 137 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.5 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 3 km WNW of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.5 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Sep 3, 2001 | Virginia | M2.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
18 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 205 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 104 mph | 270 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 236 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 162 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 106 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 244 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 220 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 68 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 262 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 76 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 136 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 229 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 196 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 211 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 219 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 104 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 176 km |
| 1984 | Diana | Category 3 | 109 mph | 299 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
377 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 36 fatalities, 786 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF4 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 79 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2020 | EF3 | 89 km | 10.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 56 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 17.9 mi | 12 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 23 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 75 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 76 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 66 km | 6.0 mi | 6 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 41 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 57 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 60 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 36 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 6 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 76 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2018 | EF2 | 100 km | 7.5 mi | 1 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 64 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 72 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 42 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 42 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 93 km |
| 2008 | OLD STAGE ROAD | 2,238 | 62 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 57 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 90 km |
| 2010 | 1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10 | 1,506 | 90 km |
| 2005 | 1.1.2 NORTH MARSH | 1,418 | 90 km |
| 2005 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH | 1,338 | 90 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 48 km |
| 1994 | UNIT 5 | 1,148 | 90 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 65 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,091 | 60 km |
| 2009 | 1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09 | 1,087 | 91 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 68 km |
| 1999 | CHURCHES ISLAND 2 | 1,013 | 96 km |
| 2005 | LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB | 982 | 90 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 908 | 90 km |
| 2011 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11 | 829 | 89 km |
| 2003 | 1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK | 782 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 5.0 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 60°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Franklin has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 40°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and November the driest (3.1").