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Weather & Climate in Newport News, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Newport News enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. The area gets 307 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 43.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.8°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 307 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 119.5 sq mi (309.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,678/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0761°N, 76.5220°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Newport News city County |
| Nearest Airport | Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 143 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 141 km | 13 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 123 km | 19 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 38 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.6 | 134 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.5 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 3 km WNW of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.5 | 122 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 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 | 211 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 266 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 168 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 84 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 299 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 81 mph | 272 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 230 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 113 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 266 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 49 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 151 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 286 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 75 mph | 250 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 196 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 191 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 82 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 135 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
334 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 698 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF4 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 44 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 91 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 18 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 43 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 56 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 79 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 80 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 14 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 96 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 59 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 64 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 64 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 56 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 46 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 99 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 56 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 56 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 95 km |
| 2008 | OLD STAGE ROAD | 2,238 | 90 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 63 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 80 km |
| 2010 | 1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10 | 1,506 | 78 km |
| 2005 | 1.1.2 NORTH MARSH | 1,418 | 78 km |
| 2005 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH | 1,338 | 79 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 59 km |
| 1994 | UNIT 5 | 1,148 | 78 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,091 | 83 km |
| 2009 | 1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09 | 1,087 | 82 km |
| 1999 | CHURCHES ISLAND 2 | 1,013 | 93 km |
| 2005 | LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB | 982 | 72 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 908 | 81 km |
| 2011 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11 | 829 | 79 km |
| 2003 | 1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK | 782 | 80 km |
| 2007 | 1-3-7 INDIAN MARSH | 676 | 82 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| February | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| March | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 3.4 in |
Newport News has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 41°F in February to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.1") and April the driest (3.1").