Weather & Climate in Oakvale, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oakvale experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.6 inches. The area receives 23.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,780 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.2°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,780 ft (543 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 552/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3321°N, 80.9729°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Giles County County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
41 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 | 96 km | 15 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 141 km | 0 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 79 km | 2 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 29 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 48 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 86 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 105 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 121 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 35 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 139 km | 16 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 17 km | 0 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 85 km | 11 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 17 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 13 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 72 km | 0 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 92 km | 10 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 | 299 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | - | 293 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
70 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 80 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 100 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 52 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 84 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 36 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 35 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 86 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 55 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 46 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 67 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 94 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF2 | 84 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 14 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 23 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1953 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYFORD MOUNTAIN (31,509 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 83 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 77 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 86 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 83 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 75 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 94 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 93 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 87 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 79 km |
| 1991 | CANEBRAKE | 8,152 | 90 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 94 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 83 km |
| 1991 | MUD LICK CREEK | 7,111 | 83 km |
| 1991 | PEACHTREE | 6,635 | 73 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 98 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 38 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 95 km |
| 1991 | ELSIE CREEK | 5,771 | 85 km |
| 1987 | DAVIN CREEK | 5,265 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,048 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 2.6 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 2.9 in |
Oakvale has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.4").