Weather & Climate in Hopewell, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hopewell enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 3.5 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 43 feet.
Temperature
41°F Jan (5°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.8°F |
| 13% above US avg | |
| January Average | 41°F (5°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 43 ft (13 m) |
| Area | 10.8 sq mi (28.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,217/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.2910°N, 77.2989°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hopewell city County |
| Nearest Airport | Richmond International (RIC) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 90.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 67.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
39 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 | 89 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 94 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 102 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 74 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 69 km | 13 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 83 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 92 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 127 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 95 km | 3 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 65 km | 19 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 94 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 92 km | 9 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 105 km | 8 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 55 km | 1 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 91 km | 0 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 149 km | 2 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 54 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
13 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 98 mph | 278 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 231 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 157 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 291 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 75 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 120 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 208 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 264 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 1 | 75 mph | 256 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 267 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 264 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 154 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 206 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
369 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 660 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF4 | 15 km | 1.0 mi | 4 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 63 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 55 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 84 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 71 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 41 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 31 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 71 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 13 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 1 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 64 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 52 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1977 | EF3 | 78 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 77 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 93 km | 15.6 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 | 39 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 61 km |
| 2011 | CHOPPING ROAD | 889 | 98 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 44 km |
| 2019 | VAJRR-FY19-RX-FUEL REDUCTION | 514 | 15 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 44°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 51°F (10°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 61°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 76°F (25°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 5.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 5.2 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in |
Hopewell has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in January to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (5.6") and February the driest (3.0").