Weather & Climate in New Castle, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Castle enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.8 inches. The area receives 14.8 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 1,349 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.1°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,349 ft (411 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 729/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5010°N, 80.1110°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Craig County County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.5 / 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 | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 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 | 148 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 50 km | 15 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 147 km | 2 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 141 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 142 km | 8 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 52 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 62 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 30 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 135 km | 7 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 145 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 78 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 62 km | 0 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 137 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 69 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 69 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 110 km | 0 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 38 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 47 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 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 | 232 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 1 | 75 mph | 285 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
87 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 80 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 74 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 79 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 87 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 67 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 40 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 68 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1994 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 35 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 96 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1977 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 42 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 44 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 24 km | 6.5 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 | 58 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 32 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 60 km |
| 2016 | MOUNT PLEASANT | 11,001 | 86 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 56 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 13 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 95 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 95 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 96 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 57 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 18 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 75 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 13 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 89 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 57 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 5 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 69 km |
| 2018 | LOCKRIDGE RX | 2,473 | 74 km |
| 2010 | PATTERSON MTN | 2,443 | 19 km |
| 2017 | GOSHEN PASS | 2,309 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 2.8 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in |
New Castle has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and November the driest (2.8").