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Weather & Climate in Free Union, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Free Union experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 75°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 46.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 563 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 563 ft (172 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 93/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1533°N, 78.5589°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Albemarle County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very 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: M5.8.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M5.8 | 61 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 57 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 59 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 73 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 82 km | 13 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 79 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 146 km | 15 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 59 km | 3 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 20 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 56 km | 3 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 57 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 97 km | 19 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 56 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 77 km | 8 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 60 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 2 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 294 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 179 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 264 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 291 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
183 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 54 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 69 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 78 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | EF3 | 88 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 54 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 13 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1977 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 29 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 13 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 39 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 20 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 66 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2008 | EF2 | 94 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 93 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 26 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 57 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 85 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 18 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2004 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 54 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 100 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 71 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 20 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 58 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 71 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 71 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 98 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 71 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 71 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 64 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 40 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 58 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 20 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 19 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 64 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 40 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,667 | 42 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 92 km |
| 2014 | CUB RUN RX | 2,868 | 43 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 4.1 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 38°F (4°C) | 3.0 in |
Free Union has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 35°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.0").