Weather & Climate in Nickelsville, VA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Nickelsville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°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 45.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,960 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	53.7°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,960 ft (597 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	827/sq mi
Coordinates	36.7488°N, 82.4172°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Scott County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 78 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.9"

21% above US avg

Snowfall 12.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.65"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.95"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	87.8 / 100
Community Resilience	6.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

86 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Nov 10, 2012	6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky	M4.2	71 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	89 km	1 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	148 km	35 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	104 km	23 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	143 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	38 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	83 km	2 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	128 km	17 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	136 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	131 km	17 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	68 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	133 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	100 km	21 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	124 km	1 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	134 km	7 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	86 km	0 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	59 km	10 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	101 km	2 km
Aug 4, 2007	12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina	M3.0	144 km	9 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	117 km	13 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1989	Hugo	Category 1	—	257 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

91 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 15 fatalities, 207 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	87 km	15.8 mi	6
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	43 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	76 km	13.6 mi	2
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	61 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	46 km	8.4 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	55 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	57 km	8.8 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	37 km	1.7 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	47 km	1.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 1980	EF2	77 km	11.5 mi	0
Jan 25, 1975	EF2	58 km	3.2 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF2	65 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF2	82 km	16.0 mi	1
Apr 9, 1965	EF2	77 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 3, 1962	EF2	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF2	54 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 1955	EF2	51 km	4.3 mi	0
Sep 25, 2024	EF1	95 km	0.6 mi	0
Sep 24, 2024	EF1	69 km	6.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 2023	EF1	71 km	3.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	UNNAMED	66,345	83 km
1987	UNNAMED	41,794	99 km
1987	UNNAMED	32,565	80 km
1991	UNNAMED	22,282	80 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,759	94 km
1991	UNNAMED	17,406	73 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,328	71 km
1994	UNNAMED	15,526	66 km
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	57 km
1991	UNNAMED	11,117	95 km
1999	UNNAMED	10,990	66 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,572	61 km
1999	UNNAMED	9,384	87 km
1991	UNNAMED	9,084	61 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,084	94 km
1994	SCISSORSVILLE BRANCH	8,711	99 km
1991	UNNAMED	8,204	84 km
1999	UNNAMED	8,143	82 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,123	90 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,114	81 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	3.4 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	3.5 in
March	45°F (7°C)	4.0 in
April	53°F (12°C)	3.7 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.3 in
June	69°F (21°C)	3.8 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.7 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.7 in
September	66°F (19°C)	3.4 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.0 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	3.3 in
December	37°F (3°C)	3.4 in

Nickelsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (3.0").

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