Weather & Climate in Penhook, VA

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

Penhook enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 76°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 49.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 889 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	56.1°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	889 ft (271 m)
Area	11.2 sq mi (29.0 km²)
Population Density	112/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9925°N, 79.6376°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Franklin County County
Nearest Airport	Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.2"

29% above US avg

Snowfall 12.6"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.33"

Driest Month (Dec) 3.27"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	42.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability	64.5 / 100
Community Resilience	33.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

25 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Oct 21, 1998	13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia	M3.8	116 km	13 km
Apr 22, 1991	14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M3.5	117 km	15 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	108 km	18 km
Dec 4, 2001	9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia	M3.1	128 km	9 km
May 16, 2009	2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia	M3.0	43 km	13 km
May 6, 2025	8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia	M3.0	116 km	8 km
Jan 22, 1995	0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia	M2.9	102 km	9 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	108 km	0 km
Jul 15, 2021	10 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	109 km	20 km
May 12, 2017	6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	111 km	4 km
Jul 6, 2023	5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia	M2.7	102 km	0 km
Jul 12, 1993	5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina	M2.7	108 km	5 km
Nov 25, 2009	14 km S of Arrington, Virginia	M2.7	93 km	0 km
Aug 18, 2000	2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia	M2.7	35 km	10 km
Aug 25, 2011	14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M2.7	115 km	13 km
Mar 4, 2019	13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia	M2.6	133 km	16 km
Jul 11, 2006	9 km SSE of Rupert, West Virginia	M2.6	133 km	5 km
Mar 28, 2001	2 km S of Narrows, Virginia	M2.6	110 km	0 km
Nov 15, 1995	5 km ENE of Shady Spring, West Virginia	M2.6	148 km	33 km
Jul 8, 2023	Virginia-North Carolina border region	M2.6	102 km	4 km

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

Hurricane History

5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2003	Isabel	Category 2	98 mph	175 km
1999	Floyd	Category 1	81 mph	292 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	288 km
1996	Fran	Category 2	75 mph	216 km
1989	Hugo	Category 1	—	287 km

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

Tornado History

150 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 117 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 19, 2019	EF3	27 km	8.1 mi	0
Apr 15, 2018	EF3	51 km	20.4 mi	0
Feb 24, 2016	EF3	74 km	16.9 mi	1
Mar 20, 1998	EF3	73 km	12.0 mi	2
Mar 24, 1969	EF3	85 km	0.1 mi	1
Jun 16, 1966	EF3	97 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 27, 2024	EF2	33 km	6.9 mi	0
May 27, 2022	EF2	49 km	6.3 mi	0
Mar 23, 2022	EF2	91 km	1.9 mi	0
Nov 2, 2018	EF2	73 km	1.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	54 km	18.1 mi	1
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	83 km	26.2 mi	0
Oct 27, 2010	EF2	82 km	3.9 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	41 km	8.8 mi	0
Sep 17, 2004	EF2	31 km	3.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF2	38 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1996	EF2	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 1996	EF2	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 27, 1995	EF2	84 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1994	EF2	40 km	4.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	RICH HOLE	15,923	99 km
2012	ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES	11,055	100 km
2023	MATTS CREEK	11,028	69 km
2016	MOUNT PLEASANT	11,001	92 km
2012	BARBOURS CREEK.	7,244	80 km
2008	ANGEL	4,129	53 km
2021	UNNAMED	3,518	77 km
2006	BULL MOUNTAIN	3,300	59 km
2002	MARBLEYARD	3,123	69 km
2008	LITTLE CUBA	3,017	66 km
2006	PEAVINE COMPLEX	2,950	74 km
2010	PATTERSON MTN	2,443	73 km
1987	UNNAMED	2,038	79 km
1986	TUCKER	1,976	79 km
1995	COVE	1,675	65 km
2015	SHORT HILLS MOUNTAIN	1,637	71 km
1995	SOUTH	1,610	79 km
2021	PATTERSON MOUNTAIN RX	1,584	73 km
2008	BLACKHORSE	1,537	49 km
1999	FORT LEWIS MTN.	1,525	55 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	3.3 in	Coldest
February	39°F (4°C)	3.4 in
March	47°F (8°C)	3.9 in
April	56°F (13°C)	3.6 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.1 in
June	72°F (22°C)	3.5 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	75°F (24°C)	3.9 in
September	68°F (20°C)	3.9 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.7 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.4 in
December	40°F (4°C)	3.3 in	Driest

Penhook has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 37°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and December the driest (3.3").

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