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Weather & Climate in Merrimac, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Merrimac experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°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 42.6 inches. The area receives 24.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,109 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,109 ft (643 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,718/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1949°N, 80.4220°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Montgomery County County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
34 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 | 85 km | 15 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 106 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 40 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 66 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 38 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 140 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 132 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 35 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 36 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 38 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 60 km | 0 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 140 km | 11 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 141 km | 17 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 42 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 82 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (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 | 248 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 270 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 284 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
105 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 131 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 60 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 86 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 99 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 96 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 58 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 82 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 38 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 57 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 67 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 91 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1994 | EF2 | 75 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 49 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1977 | EF2 | 96 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 47 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES (11,055 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 69 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 97 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 100 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 55 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 87 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 42 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 57 km |
| 1987 | SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER | 3,490 | 93 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 58 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 95 km |
| 1991 | MULLENS BRANCH | 3,059 | 92 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 44 km |
| 2010 | PATTERSON MTN | 2,443 | 62 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 2,194 | 79 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 52 km |
| 1986 | TUCKER | 1,976 | 62 km |
| 1987 | ALLEN JCT. | 1,918 | 95 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,686 | 100 km |
| 1995 | COVE | 1,675 | 32 km |
| 2015 | SHORT HILLS MOUNTAIN | 1,637 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 in |
Merrimac has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 32°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (2.6").