Weather & Climate in Pennington Gap, VA

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

Pennington Gap experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°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 49.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,516 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	54.8°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	305 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,516 ft (462 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density	1,210/sq mi
Coordinates	36.7576°N, 83.0353°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Lee County County
Nearest Airport	Mc Ghee Tyson (TYS) 84 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.7"

31% above US avg

Snowfall 9.3"

Wettest Month (May) 4.84"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.11"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	57.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	90.6 / 100
Community Resilience	1.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

103 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	42 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	37 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	53 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	96 km	35 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	88 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	139 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	92 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2006	9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina	M3.4	139 km	1 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	81 km	17 km
Aug 31, 2009	2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee	M3.3	146 km	14 km
Apr 20, 2010	4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee	M3.3	144 km	2 km
Jun 4, 2023	4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina	M3.2	132 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	99 km	14 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	39 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	96 km	17 km
Jan 27, 2009	4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky	M3.2	98 km	26 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	60 km	21 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	70 km	1 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	130 km	2 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	38 km	0 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	—	288 km

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

Tornado History

133 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 19 fatalities, 301 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 27, 2014	EF3	90 km	4.7 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	78 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	98 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	83 km	15.8 mi	6
May 9, 1988	EF3	66 km	5.0 mi	1
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	87 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	100 km	8.4 mi	1
Mar 12, 1967	EF3	97 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	61 km	2.6 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	60 km	8.8 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	99 km	1.1 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	55 km	1.7 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	59 km	2.2 mi	0
May 18, 1995	EF2	76 km	24.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1980	EF2	28 km	11.5 mi	0
Feb 18, 1976	EF2	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF2	99 km	19.8 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF2	70 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF2	71 km	16.0 mi	1
Mar 11, 1963	EF2	85 km	6.2 mi	1

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	81 km
1987	UNNAMED	66,145	83 km
2001	UNNAMED	18,013	76 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,759	81 km
1991	UNNAMED	17,406	66 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,328	66 km
1994	UNNAMED	15,526	70 km
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	14 km
1987	UNNAMED	13,124	96 km
1987	UNNAMED	11,817	72 km
1999	UNNAMED	10,990	78 km
1987	UNNAMED	10,327	89 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,572	74 km
1991	UNNAMED	9,084	80 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,084	43 km
1999	UNNAMED	8,143	75 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,123	80 km
1987	UNNAMED	8,099	57 km
1987	UNNAMED	8,047	74 km
2001	UNNAMED	7,907	51 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	36°F (2°C)	3.9 in
March	45°F (7°C)	4.5 in
April	53°F (12°C)	4.1 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
June	69°F (20°C)	4.2 in
July	74°F (23°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	4.0 in
September	66°F (19°C)	3.5 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.1 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	3.9 in
December	37°F (3°C)	4.1 in

Pennington Gap has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 34°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.1").

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