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Weather & Climate in Petersburg, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Petersburg experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 76°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 40.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 948 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.7°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 948 ft (289 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,958/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9957°N, 79.1277°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pendleton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greater Cumberland Regional (CBE) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very 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
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 125 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.5 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2010 | 19 km ESE of Burnsville, West Virginia | M2.5 | 114 km | 17 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 19 km WNW of Helvetia, West Virginia | M2.5 | 112 km | 11 km |
| Jul 27, 1997 | 5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia | M2.5 | 118 km | 19 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 8 km S of Remington, Virginia | M2.5 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 1997 | Virginia | M2.5 | 147 km | 3 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 |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 284 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
113 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 73 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 84 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 89 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 99 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 41 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 100 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 96 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 53 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 95 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 43 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 95 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 65 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 1975 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1969 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1961 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 84 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 86 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 60 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 99 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 99 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 46 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 62 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 62 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 59 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 73 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 97 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 87 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 59 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 68 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,667 | 66 km |
| 2014 | CUB RUN RX | 2,868 | 66 km |
| 2011 | VALLEY | 2,514 | 54 km |
| 2024 | RAMSHORN-GUINN RIDGES RX | 2,469 | 87 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,460 | 60 km |
| 2024 | CAPON | 2,302 | 30 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 2.3 in | |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 in |
Petersburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in February to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.3").