Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Horntown enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°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 43.3 inches. The area receives 8.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 37 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
57.8°F
7% above US avg
January Average
38°F (3°C)
July Average
78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
37 ft (11 m)
Area
5.4 sq mi (13.9 km²)
Population Density
91/sq mi
Coordinates
37.9661°N, 75.4570°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Accomack County County
Nearest Airport
Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall43.3"
14% above US avg
Snowfall8.4"
Wettest Month (Aug)4.25"
Driest Month (Nov)2.83"
Air Quality
AQI Median
35.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
81.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
87.3 / 100
Community Resilience
75.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M2.9.
Aug 3, 1995
13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia
M2.9
126 km
1 km
Feb 9, 2023
29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia
M2.6
36 km
11 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
15 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
251 km
2014
Arthur
Category 2
98 mph
160 km
2012
Sandy
Category 1
92 mph
201 km
2011
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
43 km
2010
Earl
Category 1
86 mph
255 km
2004
Alex
Category 2
98 mph
266 km
2003
Isabel
Category 1
75 mph
243 km
1999
Irene
Category 2
109 mph
282 km
1999
Floyd
Category 1
81 mph
142 km
1998
Bonnie
Category 1
86 mph
174 km
1993
Emily
Category 3
115 mph
178 km
1991
Bob
Category 3
115 mph
151 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
81 mph
67 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
104 mph
97 km
1981
Dennis
Category 1
75 mph
286 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
124 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 57 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 1, 2023
EF3
89 km
14.3 mi
1
Apr 28, 2002
EF3
89 km
18.0 mi
0
May 3, 2021
EF2
98 km
4.4 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
15 km
3.8 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
86 km
15.6 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF2
60 km
1.3 mi
0
Apr 15, 2019
EF2
68 km
6.2 mi
0
Apr 16, 2011
EF2
92 km
2.8 mi
0
May 2, 1989
EF2
83 km
5.0 mi
0
Jul 18, 1984
EF2
93 km
1.5 mi
0
Oct 2, 1973
EF2
39 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 21, 1969
EF2
87 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 12, 1955
EF2
71 km
2.7 mi
0
Aug 4, 2022
EF1
52 km
2.3 mi
0
Aug 4, 2020
EF1
74 km
2.2 mi
0
Apr 15, 2019
EF1
87 km
6.2 mi
0
Aug 7, 2017
EF1
44 km
1.5 mi
0
Apr 6, 2017
EF1
93 km
3.7 mi
0
Jul 24, 2014
EF1
93 km
7.7 mi
0
Aug 27, 2011
EF1
92 km
0.6 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2017
BESTPITCH
7,743
67 km
2004
RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH
5,678
72 km
2014
BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14
5,433
70 km
2005
MARSH RX-FWS
4,380
70 km
2007
GUINEA MARSH
4,173
63 km
2009
DOCTORS CREEK
3,686
64 km
1999
FB R O C I
3,525
68 km
2019
MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT
3,197
70 km
2011
COMPARTMENT J
2,775
70 km
2005
ISLAND CREEK
2,729
63 km
2004
UNNAMED
2,156
63 km
1992
UNNAMED
2,038
67 km
2005
VEGETATION RESEARCH
1,926
68 km
2011
THOROFARE
1,850
68 km
1987
UNNAMED
1,692
73 km
2004
ROBBINS FIRE
1,612
68 km
2004
BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION
1,518
78 km
2009
BECKERS ISLAND
1,398
68 km
2022
ELLIOTTS ISLAND
1,324
62 km
2006
UNNAMED
1,260
72 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
38°F (3°C)
3.5 in
Coldest
February
39°F (4°C)
3.1 in
March
46°F (8°C)
4.0 in
April
54°F (12°C)
2.9 in
May
63°F (17°C)
3.4 in
June
72°F (22°C)
3.1 in
July
78°F (26°C)
3.8 in
Warmest
August
76°F (24°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
September
70°F (21°C)
3.3 in
October
59°F (15°C)
3.0 in
November
50°F (10°C)
2.8 in
Driest
December
42°F (5°C)
3.4 in
Horntown has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and November the driest (2.8").