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Weather & Climate in Mathews, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mathews 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 49 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 | 49 ft (15 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 578/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4433°N, 76.3277°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Mathews County County |
| Nearest Airport | Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 12.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 82.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| 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 Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 143 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 145 km | 13 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 114 km | 19 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 33 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 7 km SE of Mineral, Virginia | M2.6 | 146 km | 6 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.6 | 134 km | 11 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 129 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.5 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 3 km WNW of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.5 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 107 km | 5 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 | 232 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | - | 298 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 185 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 291 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 84 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 253 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 147 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 285 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 74 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 176 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 1 | 75 mph | 295 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 195 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 193 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 81 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 128 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
292 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 378 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 66 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 71 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 46 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 88 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 27 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 57 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 52 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | EF3 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 61 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 21 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 65 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 79 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 10 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1999 | EF2 | 47 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 1990 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 98 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 98 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 99 km |
| 2005 | LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB | 982 | 97 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 735 | 89 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 697 | 92 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 88 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 602 | 93 km |
| 2006 | WEST DRUMMOND | 562 | 95 km |
| 2019 | VAJRR-FY19-RX-FUEL REDUCTION | 514 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 51°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Mathews has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 38°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.5") and April the driest (3.0").