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Weather & Climate in Norfolk, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Norfolk enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 300 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 50.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 20 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.9°F |
| 15% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 300 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 20 ft (6 m) |
| Area | 96.4 sq mi (249.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,411/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.9230°N, 76.2446°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Norfolk city County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk International (ORF) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 81.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 66 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
18 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 | 182 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 241 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 139 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 55 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 270 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 81 mph | 250 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 203 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 132 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 237 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 19 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 122 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 292 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 246 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 166 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 163 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 58 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 111 km |
| 1981 | Dennis | Category 1 | 75 mph | 298 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
277 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 334 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 15 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 48 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 46 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 79 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 75 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 74 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 17 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 51 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 73 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 79 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 20 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 93 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 56 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 95 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1999 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1999 | EF2 | 14 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF2 | 12 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 28, 1988 | EF2 | 66 km | 12.0 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 | 45 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 45 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 69 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 45 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 51 km |
| 2010 | 1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10 | 1,506 | 49 km |
| 2005 | 1.1.2 NORTH MARSH | 1,418 | 50 km |
| 2005 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH | 1,338 | 51 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 44 km |
| 1994 | UNIT 5 | 1,148 | 50 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,091 | 68 km |
| 2009 | 1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09 | 1,087 | 54 km |
| 1999 | CHURCHES ISLAND 2 | 1,013 | 66 km |
| 2005 | LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB | 982 | 43 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 908 | 53 km |
| 2011 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11 | 829 | 51 km |
| 2003 | 1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK | 782 | 52 km |
| 2007 | 1-3-7 INDIAN MARSH | 676 | 54 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 75 km |
| 2006 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH | 669 | 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 | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| March | 50°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (26°C) | 4.9 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 62°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 45°F (7°C) | 3.3 in |
Norfolk has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 43°F in February to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.1") and November the driest (3.0").