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Weather & Climate in Motley, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Motley enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 76°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 42.8 inches. The area receives 11.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 810 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 56.2°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 810 ft (247 m) |
| Area | 4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 188/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0658°N, 79.3500°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Campbell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lynchburg Regional/Preston Glenn Field (LYH) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 59.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 90 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 148 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 123 km | 15 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 150 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 128 km | 18 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 144 km | 9 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 124 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 61 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 90 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 141 km | 2 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 130 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 132 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 128 km | 0 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 122 km | 13 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 55 km | 10 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 69 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 152 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 274 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 75 mph | 278 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 216 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
147 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 110 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 53 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 31 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 47 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 93 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 39 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 35 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 39 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 43 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 66 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 24 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 37 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 1995 | EF2 | 73 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1994 | EF2 | 63 km | 4.3 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 | 94 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 59 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 76 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 90 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 95 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 66 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 85 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 85 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 60 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 78 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 61 km |
| 2010 | PATTERSON MTN | 2,443 | 79 km |
| 2017 | GOSHEN PASS | 2,309 | 97 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,048 | 100 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 90 km |
| 1986 | TUCKER | 1,976 | 86 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,797 | 100 km |
| 2018 | TYE RIVER | 1,762 | 95 km |
| 1995 | COVE | 1,675 | 82 km |
| 2015 | SHORT HILLS MOUNTAIN | 1,637 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 3.2 in |
Motley has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (3.2").