Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Halifax 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 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 410 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
58.5°F
8% above US avg
January Average
39°F (4°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
410 ft (125 m)
Area
3.8 sq mi (9.8 km²)
Population Density
357/sq mi
Coordinates
36.7612°N, 78.9276°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Halifax County County
Nearest Airport
Danville Regional (DAN) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.4"
22% above US avg
Snowfall5.5"
Wettest Month (Jul)4.21"
Driest Month (Nov)3.03"
Air Quality
AQI Median
35.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
47.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
97.4 / 100
Community Resilience
30.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively High
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 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
85 km
13 km
Mar 15, 1991
7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia
M3.8
142 km
16 km
May 5, 2003
Virginia
M3.6
129 km
13 km
Aug 24, 2011
16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia
M3.4
147 km
0 km
Sep 22, 2001
5 km E of Pantops, Virginia
M3.2
148 km
0 km
May 22, 2014
15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia
M3.1
114 km
10 km
May 16, 2009
2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia
M3.0
110 km
13 km
May 6, 2025
8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia
M3.0
88 km
8 km
Aug 18, 2000
2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia
M2.7
102 km
10 km
Jul 12, 1993
5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina
M2.7
114 km
5 km
Nov 25, 2009
14 km S of Arrington, Virginia
M2.7
89 km
0 km
Mar 13, 2017
6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia
M2.6
144 km
11 km
Feb 26, 2015
4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia
M2.5
142 km
10 km
Mar 26, 2019
8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina
M2.5
126 km
4 km
Sep 3, 2001
Virginia
M2.5
92 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
272 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
110 km
1999
Floyd
Category 1
81 mph
224 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 2
109 mph
260 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
230 km
1996
Fran
Category 2
75 mph
175 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
275 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
204 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 103 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 19, 2019
EF3
86 km
8.1 mi
0
Apr 15, 2018
EF3
69 km
20.4 mi
0
Feb 24, 2016
EF3
53 km
16.9 mi
1
Nov 23, 1992
EF3
79 km
5.5 mi
2
May 22, 1983
EF3
92 km
3.5 mi
0
Mar 24, 1969
EF3
19 km
0.1 mi
1
Jun 16, 1966
EF3
86 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 27, 2024
EF2
49 km
6.9 mi
0
May 27, 2022
EF2
79 km
6.3 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
97 km
10.1 mi
0
Nov 2, 2018
EF2
10 km
1.7 mi
0
Feb 24, 2016
EF2
57 km
5.1 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
15 km
18.1 mi
1
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
35 km
26.2 mi
0
Oct 27, 2010
EF2
21 km
3.9 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
91 km
8.8 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
93 km
3.0 mi
0
Apr 28, 2002
EF2
71 km
10.0 mi
0
Mar 20, 1998
EF2
52 km
1.5 mi
0
Mar 20, 1998
EF2
61 km
2.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: TOTIERS FERRY (1,075 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
TOTIERS FERRY
1,075
61 km
2008
HIGHWAY 1
766
81 km
2010
GLENWOOD COMPLEX (FALLING ROCK)
533
100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
39°F (4°C)
3.5 in
Coldest
February
40°F (5°C)
3.3 in
March
48°F (9°C)
3.9 in
April
57°F (14°C)
3.2 in
May
65°F (18°C)
3.9 in
June
73°F (23°C)
3.6 in
July
79°F (26°C)
4.2 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
76°F (24°C)
3.9 in
September
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
October
58°F (14°C)
3.6 in
November
49°F (9°C)
3.0 in
Driest
December
40°F (5°C)
3.2 in
Halifax has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.2") and November the driest (3.0").