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Weather & Climate in Lancaster, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lancaster enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 299 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 51.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 8.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 92 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.6°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 10/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7601°N, 76.4487°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lancaster County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Mary's County Regional (LTW) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
34 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 | 132 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 128 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 133 km | 13 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 132 km | 3 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 95 km | 19 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 46 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 102 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 2012 | 12 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Feb 3, 2020 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 7 km SE of Mineral, Virginia | M2.6 | 125 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
12 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 | 267 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 210 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 291 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 106 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 287 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 98 mph | 162 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 111 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 211 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 223 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 222 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 113 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 153 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
315 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 155 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 49 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 71 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 75 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 23 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 59 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 91 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 87 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 24 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 18 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 99 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 69 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 27 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1999 | EF2 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.8 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 | 80 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 77 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 78 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 80 km |
| 2007 | GUINEA MARSH | 4,173 | 80 km |
| 2009 | DOCTORS CREEK | 3,686 | 81 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 77 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 78 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 78 km |
| 2005 | ISLAND CREEK | 2,729 | 80 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,156 | 80 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 82 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 83 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 78 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 75 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 81 km |
| 2009 | BECKERS ISLAND | 1,398 | 77 km |
| 2022 | ELLIOTTS ISLAND | 1,324 | 81 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,260 | 76 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 | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.2 in |
Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.2") and April the driest (2.9").