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Weather & Climate in Goshen, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Goshen experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°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 46.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 25.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,489 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,489 ft (454 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 165/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.9900°N, 79.5078°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rockbridge County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
57 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 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 113 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 143 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 61 km | 15 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 98 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 120 km | 18 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 113 km | 9 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 134 km | 4 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 93 km | 13 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 134 km | 9 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 109 km | 8 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 |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 215 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
88 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 fatalities, 52 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 77 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 69 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 88 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 100 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 80 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 94 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 20 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 89 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 1963 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1960 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1953 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF2 | 65 km | 1.0 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 | 18 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 62 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 45 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 40 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 82 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 27 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 67 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 20 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 20 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 55 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 55 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 61 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 33 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 66 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 27 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 79 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 82 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 61 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 94 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,667 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.0 in |
Goshen has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.9").