Weather & Climate in Lafayette, VA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Lafayette experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°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 49.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 18.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,267 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-0°C) 71°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	51.2°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	31°F (-0°C)
July Average	71°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,267 ft (386 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.7 km²)
Population Density	825/sq mi
Coordinates	37.2334°N, 80.2046°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Roanoke County County
Nearest Airport	Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.9"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 18.4"

Wettest Month (May) 3.98"

Driest Month (Jan) 2.72"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	52.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	21.0 / 100
Community Resilience	74.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.

Apr 22, 1991	14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M3.5	79 km	15 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	125 km	2 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	52 km	18 km
Dec 4, 2001	9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia	M3.1	73 km	9 km
Jun 28, 1991	4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia	M3.0	149 km	7 km
May 16, 2009	2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia	M3.0	18 km	13 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	56 km	9 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	52 km	0 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	55 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	57 km	4 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	74 km	0 km
Aug 18, 2000	2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia	M2.7	23 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2011	14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M2.7	76 km	13 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	138 km	5 km
Nov 25, 2009	14 km S of Arrington, Virginia	M2.7	123 km	0 km
Jun 10, 2018	2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina	M2.7	134 km	2 km
Mar 4, 2019	13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia	M2.6	80 km	16 km
Mar 28, 2001	2 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.6	54 km	0 km
Jul 11, 2006	9 km SSE of Rupert, West Virginia	M2.6	82 km	5 km
Nov 15, 1995	5 km ENE of Shady Spring, West Virginia	M2.6	92 km	33 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2003	Isabel	Category 1	75 mph	230 km
1996	Fran	Category 2	75 mph	263 km
1989	Hugo	Category 1	-	293 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).

Tornado History

102 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 105 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 19, 2019	EF3	50 km	8.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF3	86 km	20.4 mi	0
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	95 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	96 km	32.2 mi	1
Sep 27, 2024	EF2	86 km	6.9 mi	0
May 27, 2022	EF2	76 km	6.3 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	69 km	1.9 mi	0
Oct 7, 2014	EF2	97 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 8, 2011	EF2	57 km	1.9 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	61 km	8.8 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	38 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF2	71 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1996	EF2	58 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 1996	EF2	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 17, 1994	EF2	68 km	4.3 mi	0
Jun 22, 1990	EF2	50 km	5.0 mi	0
Aug 21, 1977	EF2	63 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1977	EF2	78 km	3.6 mi	0
Jul 11, 1976	EF2	52 km	4.1 mi	0
Apr 24, 1975	EF2	65 km	6.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	RICH HOLE	15,923	87 km
2012	ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES	11,055	61 km
2023	MATTS CREEK	11,028	78 km
2022	UNNAMED	7,791	87 km
2012	BARBOURS CREEK.	7,244	43 km
2012	UNNAMED	4,219	88 km
2008	ANGEL	4,129	24 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,518	44 km
2006	BULL MOUNTAIN	3,300	59 km
2002	MARBLEYARD	3,123	76 km
2008	LITTLE CUBA	3,017	30 km
2006	PEAVINE COMPLEX	2,950	87 km
2010	PATTERSON MTN	2,443	47 km
2010	NORTH SHORT MTN	2,304	93 km
2014	UNNAMED	2,194	98 km
2018	UNNAMED	2,048	93 km
1987	UNNAMED	2,038	41 km
1986	TUCKER	1,976	48 km
2003	UNNAMED	1,797	100 km
2021	UNNAMED	1,686	89 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	31°F (-0°C)	2.7 in	Coldest, Driest
February	36°F (2°C)	2.9 in
March	44°F (7°C)	3.5 in
April	53°F (12°C)	3.4 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.0 in	Wettest
June	68°F (20°C)	3.4 in
July	71°F (21°C)	4.0 in
August	71°F (22°C)	3.7 in	Warmest
September	65°F (18°C)	3.5 in
October	54°F (12°C)	3.6 in
November	45°F (7°C)	3.1 in
December	37°F (3°C)	2.8 in

Lafayette has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 40.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (2.7").

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