Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Marlinton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 293 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 44.9 inches. The area receives 42.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,373 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average
47.2°F
13% below US avg
January Average
26°F (-3°C)
July Average
67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,373 ft (723 m)
Area
2.5 sq mi (6.3 km²)
Population Density
447/sq mi
Coordinates
38.2241°N, 80.0875°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Pocahontas County County
Nearest Airport
Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 62 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall44.9"
18% above US avg
Snowfall42.5"
Wettest Month (Jul)4.88"
Driest Month (Feb)3.50"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
27.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
76.5 / 100
Community Resilience
36.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
No Rating
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 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
33 km
15 km
Mar 31, 2013
West Virginia
M3.4
80 km
8 km
Apr 4, 2010
14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia
M3.4
83 km
0 km
Sep 22, 2001
5 km E of Pantops, Virginia
M3.2
150 km
0 km
Sep 13, 2017
11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia
M3.2
100 km
18 km
Dec 4, 2001
9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia
M3.1
80 km
9 km
Jun 28, 1991
4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia
M3.0
109 km
7 km
May 16, 2009
2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia
M3.0
109 km
13 km
Jan 22, 1995
0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia
M2.9
144 km
9 km
Jul 4, 2009
3 km E of Narrows, Virginia
M2.8
116 km
0 km
Jul 30, 2013
12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia
M2.8
99 km
13 km
Jan 10, 2012
14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia
M2.8
80 km
0 km
Apr 21, 1998
1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia
M2.8
133 km
2 km
Jul 15, 2021
10 km S of Narrows, Virginia
M2.8
127 km
20 km
May 12, 2017
6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia
M2.8
124 km
4 km
Aug 18, 2000
2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia
M2.7
116 km
10 km
Jul 20, 2013
6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia
M2.7
102 km
21 km
Apr 29, 2010
7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia
M2.7
83 km
0 km
Jun 21, 2017
1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia
M2.7
115 km
17 km
Nov 25, 2009
14 km S of Arrington, Virginia
M2.7
130 km
0 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
2003
Isabel
Category 1
75 mph
270 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
43 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 28 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 4, 1974
EF3
94 km
32.2 mi
1
Apr 2, 2024
EF2
82 km
5.3 mi
0
Jun 22, 1990
EF2
74 km
5.0 mi
0
May 26, 1990
EF2
99 km
0.5 mi
0
May 4, 1990
EF2
68 km
7.0 mi
2
Jul 9, 1980
EF2
72 km
0.3 mi
0
Jul 11, 1976
EF2
81 km
4.1 mi
0
Apr 24, 1975
EF2
60 km
6.0 mi
0
Nov 29, 1963
EF2
96 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 25, 1961
EF2
97 km
3.0 mi
0
Apr 26, 2022
EF1
95 km
6.0 mi
0
Apr 15, 2018
EF1
77 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 21, 2016
EF1
37 km
5.4 mi
0
Jun 17, 2015
EF1
70 km
1.8 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF1
76 km
4.0 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF1
39 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 4, 2003
EF1
98 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 31, 1999
EF1
97 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 5, 1989
EF1
95 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 9, 1980
EF1
81 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: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2012
RICH HOLE
15,923
54 km
1991
GAULEY MTN
13,113
92 km
2012
ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES
11,055
49 km
2023
MATTS CREEK
11,028
90 km
2016
MOUNT PLEASANT
11,001
96 km
2022
UNNAMED
7,791
39 km
1987
RICK CREEK ROAD
7,740
89 km
2012
BARBOURS CREEK.
7,244
68 km
2014
ARCHER KNOB RX
6,093
64 km
2022
UNNAMED
5,893
64 km
2021
UNNAMED
5,345
75 km
2015
UNNAMED
5,149
75 km
2013
UNNAMED
4,687
84 km
2008
ST MARYS
4,373
90 km
2012
UNNAMED
4,219
38 km
2008
ANGEL
4,129
96 km
2018
UNNAMED
4,022
84 km
2019
UNNAMED
3,569
25 km
2021
UNNAMED
3,518
69 km
1999
GAULEY MT2
3,223
93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
26°F (-3°C)
3.6 in
Coldest
February
31°F (-1°C)
3.5 in
Driest
March
39°F (4°C)
4.3 in
April
48°F (9°C)
4.1 in
May
57°F (14°C)
4.7 in
June
64°F (18°C)
4.0 in
July
67°F (19°C)
4.9 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
67°F (19°C)
4.0 in
September
61°F (16°C)
3.8 in
October
50°F (10°C)
3.8 in
November
40°F (5°C)
3.8 in
December
32°F (-0°C)
3.9 in
Marlinton has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 26°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and February the driest (3.5").