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Weather & Climate in Gretna, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gretna enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°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 47.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 836 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.6°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 836 ft (255 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 763/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.9495°N, 79.3626°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pittsylvania County County |
| Nearest Airport | Danville Regional (DAN) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 97 km | 13 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 145 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 133 km | 15 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 132 km | 18 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 131 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 66 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 98 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 134 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 131 km | 13 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 58 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 81 km | 0 km |
| Mar 28, 2001 | 2 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.6 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Jul 8, 2023 | Virginia-North Carolina border region | M2.6 | 125 km | 4 km |
| Jun 17, 2023 | 2 km N of Pembroke, Virginia | M2.6 | 122 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 151 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 268 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 269 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 203 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | - | 295 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
160 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 127 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 48 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 43 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 55 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 82 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 98 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 26 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 48 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 48 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 99 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 30 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 64 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 50 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 58 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 37 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MATTS CREEK (11,028 acres, 2023).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 72 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 89 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 98 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 73 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 94 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 79 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 72 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 86 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 74 km |
| 2010 | PATTERSON MTN | 2,443 | 89 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 98 km |
| 1986 | TUCKER | 1,976 | 96 km |
| 1995 | COVE | 1,675 | 87 km |
| 2015 | SHORT HILLS MOUNTAIN | 1,637 | 80 km |
| 1995 | SOUTH | 1,610 | 96 km |
| 2021 | PATTERSON MOUNTAIN RX | 1,584 | 89 km |
| 2008 | BLACKHORSE | 1,537 | 63 km |
| 1999 | FORT LEWIS MTN. | 1,525 | 77 km |
| 1991 | PINEY MOUNTAIN | 1,464 | 76 km |
| 1999 | PURGATORY MTN. | 1,366 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
Gretna has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and December the driest (3.3").