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Weather & Climate in Marion, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Marion experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°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 48.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,128 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 53.9°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,128 ft (649 m) |
| Area | 4.2 sq mi (10.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,189/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8374°N, 81.5157°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Smyth County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 70 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
44 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 141 km | 17 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 10 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 101 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 48 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 118 km | 2 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 69 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 76 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 76 km | 16 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 126 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 86 km | 0 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 53 km | 11 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 76 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 77 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 72 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Cumberland, Kentucky | M2.7 | 137 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | - | 241 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
98 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 124 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 44 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 95 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 36 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 65 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 40 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 52 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1989 | EF2 | 100 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 24 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2024 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | EF1 | 86 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: UNNAMED (32,565 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 88 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 97 km |
| 1991 | CANEBRAKE | 8,152 | 98 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,114 | 93 km |
| 1991 | MUD LICK CREEK | 7,111 | 84 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 93 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 53 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 5,790 | 100 km |
| 1991 | BRADSHAW | 5,029 | 59 km |
| 1999 | BEECH CREEK | 4,916 | 98 km |
| 1987 | KIWIS CREEK | 4,879 | 48 km |
| 1987 | CHRISTAN BRANCH | 4,830 | 100 km |
| 2001 | CROCKETT BRANCH | 4,702 | 56 km |
| 2001 | MOUNTAIN FORK | 4,393 | 57 km |
| 1987 | SANDY HUFF BRANCH | 4,022 | 76 km |
| 2001 | ELK CREEK | 3,983 | 99 km |
| 1987 | SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER | 3,490 | 54 km |
| 1987 | NANCY FORK | 3,198 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in |
Marion has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and November the driest (3.2").