Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Castle experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°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 41.0 inches. The area receives 18.1 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 1,349 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average
31°F (-1°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
305 days/yr
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
Annual Rainfall41.0"
8% above US avg
Snowfall18.1"
Wettest Month (May)3.98"
Driest Month (Jan)2.80"
Air Quality
AQI Median
35.0
Rating
Good
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
31°F (-1°C)
2.8 in
Coldest, Driest
February
35°F (2°C)
2.9 in
March
43°F (6°C)
3.5 in
April
52°F (11°C)
3.3 in
May
60°F (16°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
June
68°F (20°C)
3.4 in
July
71°F (22°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.7 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.3 in
October
54°F (12°C)
3.5 in
November
44°F (7°C)
3.2 in
December
36°F (2°C)
2.8 in
New Castle has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (2.8").