Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gargatha enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°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 47.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
58.8°F
9% above US avg
January Average
39°F (4°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
20 ft (6 m)
Area
3.0 sq mi (7.7 km²)
Population Density
197/sq mi
Coordinates
37.7909°N, 75.5769°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Accomack County County
Nearest Airport
Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 38 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall47.2"
24% above US avg
Snowfall6.6"
Wettest Month (Aug)4.09"
Driest Month (Apr)2.76"
Air Quality
AQI Median
35.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
87.3 / 100
Community Resilience
75.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Aug 3, 1995
13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia
M2.9
108 km
1 km
Feb 9, 2023
29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia
M2.6
53 km
11 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
15 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 3.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2019
Dorian
Category 2
98 mph
240 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
152 km
2012
Sandy
Category 1
92 mph
216 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
57 km
2010
Earl
Category 1
86 mph
257 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
252 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
98 mph
224 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
272 km
1999
Floyd
Category 1
81 mph
120 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
166 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
169 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
158 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
55 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
102 km
1981
Dennis
Category 1
75 mph
282 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
135 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 57 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 28, 2002
EF3
94 km
18.0 mi
0
Aug 6, 1993
EF3
91 km
2.9 mi
0
May 3, 2021
EF2
90 km
4.4 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
69 km
15.6 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
75 km
1.3 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
38 km
3.8 mi
0
Apr 15, 2019
EF2
87 km
6.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
74 km
2.8 mi
0
May 2, 1989
EF2
73 km
5.0 mi
0
May 11, 1981
EF2
98 km
0.2 mi
0
Apr 25, 1975
EF2
93 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 2, 1973
EF2
18 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 21, 1969
EF2
65 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 12, 1955
EF2
93 km
2.7 mi
0
Apr 3, 2024
EF1
91 km
5.8 mi
0
Aug 4, 2022
EF1
46 km
2.3 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF1
62 km
2.2 mi
0
Aug 7, 2017
EF1
61 km
1.5 mi
0
Apr 6, 2017
EF1
77 km
3.7 mi
0
Feb 24, 2016
EF1
96 km
4.0 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
76 km
2004
RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH
5,678
79 km
2014
BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14
5,433
79 km
2005
MARSH RX-FWS
4,380
79 km
2007
GUINEA MARSH
4,173
73 km
2009
DOCTORS CREEK
3,686
74 km
1999
FB R O C I
3,525
76 km
2019
MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT
3,197
78 km
2011
COMPARTMENT J
2,775
78 km
2005
ISLAND CREEK
2,729
73 km
2004
UNNAMED
2,156
72 km
1992
UNNAMED
2,038
77 km
2005
VEGETATION RESEARCH
1,926
78 km
2011
THOROFARE
1,850
78 km
1987
UNNAMED
1,692
81 km
2004
ROBBINS FIRE
1,612
76 km
2004
BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION
1,518
86 km
2009
BECKERS ISLAND
1,398
76 km
2022
ELLIOTTS ISLAND
1,324
72 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,260
79 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
39°F (4°C)
3.5 in
February
39°F (4°C)
3.2 in
Coldest
March
46°F (8°C)
4.0 in
April
55°F (13°C)
2.8 in
Driest
May
64°F (18°C)
3.4 in
June
72°F (22°C)
3.1 in
July
79°F (26°C)
3.8 in
Warmest
August
76°F (24°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
September
70°F (21°C)
3.1 in
October
60°F (15°C)
2.9 in
November
51°F (10°C)
2.8 in
December
42°F (5°C)
3.3 in
Gargatha has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and April the driest (2.8").