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Weather & Climate in Modest Town, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Modest Town enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°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 47.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 36 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.8°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 36 ft (11 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 412/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8169°N, 75.5611°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Accomack County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 81.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 110 km | 1 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 50 km | 11 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 | 243 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 153 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 214 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 58 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 86 mph | 256 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 254 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 226 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 274 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 123 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 167 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 170 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 157 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 56 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 104 km |
| 1981 | Dennis | Category 1 | 75 mph | 283 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
133 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 57 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 93 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 93 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 71 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 34 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 84 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1989 | EF2 | 74 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1981 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 1975 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 1973 | EF2 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1969 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1955 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 2024 | EF1 | 92 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2022 | EF1 | 46 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF1 | 63 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2017 | EF1 | 58 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 6, 2017 | EF1 | 79 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF1 | 99 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BESTPITCH | 7,743 | 74 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 78 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 77 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 77 km |
| 2007 | GUINEA MARSH | 4,173 | 71 km |
| 2009 | DOCTORS CREEK | 3,686 | 72 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 74 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 76 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 77 km |
| 2005 | ISLAND CREEK | 2,729 | 71 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,156 | 70 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 75 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 76 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 76 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 79 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 74 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 85 km |
| 2009 | BECKERS ISLAND | 1,398 | 75 km |
| 2022 | ELLIOTTS ISLAND | 1,324 | 70 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,260 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 2.9 in | |
| November | 51°F (10°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 42°F (5°C) | 3.3 in |
Modest Town has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.8 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and April the driest (2.8").