Weather & Climate in McDowell, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McDowell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 2,343 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 48.9°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,343 ft (714 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 36/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3419°N, 79.5053°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Highland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 2.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 49.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
50 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 | 145 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 139 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 76 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 120 km | 8 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 144 km | 3 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 126 km | 0 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 143 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 129 km | 9 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 141 km | 9 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 140 km | 4 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 129 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 84 km | 2 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 | 242 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
68 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 14 fatalities, 36 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 59 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 96 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 94 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 31 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 1963 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1960 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF2 | 68 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2022 | EF1 | 52 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF1 | 95 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 88 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2015 | EF1 | 80 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2013 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF1 | 56 km | 2.6 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 | 53 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 85 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 84 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 73 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 73 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 89 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 51 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 96 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 27 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 27 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 23 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 24 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 32 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 85 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 58 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 66 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 50 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 71 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 32 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 3.7 in |
McDowell has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 29°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (2.9").