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Weather & Climate in Norton, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Norton 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 293 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 47.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 68.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,161 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.7°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,161 ft (659 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 353/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9316°N, 79.9691°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Randolph County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 43.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 112 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 81 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 137 km | 4 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 82 km | 13 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 115 km | 13 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 82 km | 0 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 80 km | 21 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 149 km | 17 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia | M2.6 | 137 km | 16 km |
| May 7, 2010 | 14 km WSW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.6 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Jun 6, 2014 | 13 km NNE of Sissonville, West Virginia | M2.6 | 144 km | 30 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 13 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.6 | 85 km | 6 km |
| Sep 4, 2011 | 3 km N of Saint Marys, West Virginia | M2.6 | 120 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 48 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 67 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 93 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 95 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 94 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 71 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1971 | EF2 | 94 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | EF2 | 46 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2024 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2024 | EF1 | 97 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2024 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 2017 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 58 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (5,345 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 80 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 80 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 86 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 86 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 90 km |
| 2011 | VALLEY | 2,514 | 94 km |
| 2018 | LOCKRIDGE RX | 2,473 | 87 km |
| 2024 | RAMSHORN-GUINN RIDGES RX | 2,469 | 64 km |
| 2024 | CAPON | 2,302 | 92 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 91 km |
| 1998 | STONEY LICK | 1,986 | 92 km |
| 2010 | HONE QUARRY | 1,827 | 84 km |
| 2001 | NEW CREEK MTN | 1,689 | 63 km |
| 2024 | DOVE HOLLOW | 1,634 | 92 km |
| 2017 | CHESTNUT RIDGE RX | 1,624 | 66 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,446 | 65 km |
| 2013 | SMOKE HOLE FIRE | 1,436 | 58 km |
| 2019 | DRY HOLLOW | 1,327 | 58 km |
| 2024 | GAULEY RIDGE RX | 1,263 | 92 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,098 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 3.9 in |
Norton has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.3").