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Weather & Climate in New Castle, VA

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 Average51.5°F
5% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,349 ft (411 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density729/sq mi
Coordinates37.5010°N, 80.1110°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyCraig County County
Nearest AirportRoanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA)
14 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.0"
8% above US avg
Snowfall 18.1"
Wettest Month (May) 3.98"
Driest Month (Jan) 2.80"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score6.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability66.9 / 100
Community Resilience34.5 / 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").

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