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Weather & Climate in Gate City, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gate City enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°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 45.0 inches. The area receives 5.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,667 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.5°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,667 ft (508 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 487/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.6461°N, 82.5784°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Scott County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 78 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 42.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
97 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 69 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 79 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 132 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 88 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 138 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 99 km | 2 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 111 km | 17 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 122 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 139 km | 26 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 115 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 113 km | 17 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 112 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 82 km | 21 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 70 km | 0 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Aug 4, 2007 | 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina | M3.0 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 69 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 254 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
113 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 16 fatalities, 241 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 56 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 61 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 71 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 54 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 63 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 99 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 60 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 41 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 65 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 47 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 60 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1976 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF2 | 65 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 11, 1963 | EF2 | 87 km | 6.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF2 | 41 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: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,345 | 90 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 94 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 95 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 78 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 77 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 74 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 48 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 77 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 71 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 9,384 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 74 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 84 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 8,204 | 98 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 8,143 | 88 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,123 | 95 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,114 | 96 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,099 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,047 | 94 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,907 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in |
Gate City has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 37°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (2.8").