Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hollister enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 41°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 47.7 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 40. The city sits at an elevation of 229 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
59.8°F
11% above US avg
January Average
41°F (5°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
229 ft (70 m)
Area
4.0 sq mi (10.2 km²)
Population Density
228/sq mi
Coordinates
36.2583°N, 77.9357°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Halifax County County
Nearest Airport
Halifax/Northampton Regional (RZZ) 17 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall47.7"
25% above US avg
Snowfall5.5"
Wettest Month (Aug)4.61"
Driest Month (Apr)3.11"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
72.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
93.1 / 100
Community Resilience
21.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
No Rating
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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
137 km
13 km
May 22, 2014
15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia
M3.1
142 km
10 km
May 6, 2025
8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia
M3.0
142 km
8 km
Sep 3, 2001
Virginia
M2.5
126 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
20 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 4.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2020
Isaias
Category 1
92 mph
267 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
104 mph
237 km
2018
Florence
Category 2
104 mph
221 km
2016
Matthew
Category 1
81 mph
247 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
205 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
86 mph
170 km
2005
Ophelia
Category 1
86 mph
240 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
252 km
2004
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
282 km
2003
Isabel
Category 2
104 mph
53 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
287 km
1999
Floyd
Category 2
104 mph
120 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 3
109 mph
159 km
1996
Fran
Category 3
115 mph
136 km
1996
Bertha
Category 2
104 mph
143 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
282 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
109 mph
286 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
176 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
235 km
1984
Diana
Category 4
132 mph
253 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
337 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 fatalities, 455 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Nov 27, 1988
EF4
85 km
83.0 mi
4
Sep 27, 2024
EF3
34 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2024
EF3
67 km
6.5 mi
1
Jul 19, 2023
EF3
29 km
13.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
100 km
20.4 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF3
91 km
17.9 mi
12
Nov 15, 2008
EF3
57 km
8.2 mi
1
Oct 14, 1986
EF3
60 km
12.0 mi
0
Mar 28, 1984
EF3
68 km
6.0 mi
6
May 22, 1983
EF3
91 km
3.5 mi
0
Apr 19, 1978
EF3
77 km
35.6 mi
0
Mar 4, 1977
EF3
93 km
4.9 mi
0
May 15, 1972
EF3
84 km
8.5 mi
0
Mar 24, 1969
EF3
88 km
0.1 mi
1
Nov 8, 1957
EF3
64 km
46.9 mi
0
Mar 15, 1953
EF3
56 km
30.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 2024
EF2
93 km
9.5 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
95 km
15.9 mi
0
May 13, 2019
EF2
66 km
17.2 mi
0
Feb 24, 2016
EF2
56 km
5.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: OLD STAGE ROAD (2,238 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
OLD STAGE ROAD
2,238
89 km
2008
LYNCH ROAD
1,824
4 km
2008
POCAHONTAS ROAD
1,146
68 km
2008
SYCAMORE SHORES
1,044
37 km
2008
HIGHWAY 1
766
49 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
41°F (5°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
February
42°F (5°C)
3.7 in
March
49°F (10°C)
3.9 in
April
58°F (14°C)
3.1 in
Driest
May
66°F (19°C)
4.0 in
June
74°F (23°C)
3.8 in
July
79°F (26°C)
4.5 in
Warmest
August
76°F (25°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
September
71°F (22°C)
3.5 in
October
59°F (15°C)
3.1 in
November
50°F (10°C)
3.2 in
December
42°F (6°C)
3.3 in
Hollister has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 41°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.6") and April the driest (3.1").