All Countries
Weather & Climate in Portsmouth, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Portsmouth enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. The area gets 301 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 53.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 13 feet.
Temperature
48°F Jan (9°C)
80°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 61.8°F |
| 14% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 80°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 301 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Area | 46.7 sq mi (120.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,922/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8593°N, 76.3570°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Portsmouth city County |
| Nearest Airport | Norfolk International (ORF) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 54.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.9.
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 66 km | 1 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Sep 23, 2019 | 3 km WNW of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.5 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Apr 29, 2000 | 3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia | M2.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
17 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 98 mph | 184 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 238 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 141 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 61 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 2 | 98 mph | 278 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 245 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 202 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 121 km |
| 1999 | Irene | Category 2 | 109 mph | 239 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 24 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 123 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 280 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 235 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 171 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 170 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 64 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 122 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
300 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 368 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 30, 2023 | EF3 | 24 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF3 | 45 km | 46.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 28, 2008 | EF3 | 34 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF3 | 83 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 72 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1984 | EF3 | 62 km | 14.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 15 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1967 | EF3 | 40 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 61 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 85 km | 15.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2017 | EF2 | 17 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 25, 2014 | EF2 | 96 km | 37.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 82 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 45 km | 22.6 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2008 | EF2 | 84 km | 11.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 17, 1999 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | LATERAL WEST | 6,188 | 34 km |
| 2008 | SOUTH 1 | 5,940 | 34 km |
| 1999 | NORTH RIVER | 3,055 | 66 km |
| 2008 | MCPHERSON ROAD | 2,087 | 37 km |
| 2014 | NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH | 1,876 | 52 km |
| 2010 | 1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10 | 1,506 | 50 km |
| 2005 | 1.1.2 NORTH MARSH | 1,418 | 50 km |
| 2005 | 1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH | 1,338 | 51 km |
| 1998 | SE BLOCKS | 1,278 | 34 km |
| 1994 | UNIT 5 | 1,148 | 51 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,091 | 59 km |
| 2009 | 1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09 | 1,087 | 54 km |
| 1999 | CHURCHES ISLAND 2 | 1,013 | 65 km |
| 2005 | LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB | 982 | 46 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 908 | 53 km |
| 2011 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11 | 829 | 51 km |
| 2003 | 1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK | 782 | 52 km |
| 2007 | 1-3-7 INDIAN MARSH | 676 | 54 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 65 km |
| 2006 | 1.3.1 GREAT MARSH | 669 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 48°F (9°C) | 4.0 in | |
| February | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| March | 49°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 80°F (27°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 78°F (25°C) | 5.0 in | |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 44°F (7°C) | 3.4 in |
Portsmouth has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 42°F in February to 80°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and November the driest (3.0").