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Weather & Climate in Princeton, WV

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

Princeton 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. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,430 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.2°F
3% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days318 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,430 ft (741 m)
Area3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²)
Population Density1,920/sq mi
Coordinates37.3688°N, 81.0962°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMercer County County
Nearest AirportRoanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA)
62 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.25"
Driest Month (Jan) 2.76"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score65.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability75.7 / 100
Community Resilience35.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

43 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 M3.5 101 km 15 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 77 km 2 km
Apr 4, 2010 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia M3.4 138 km 0 km
Mar 31, 2013 West Virginia M3.4 144 km 8 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 102 km 5 km
Sep 13, 2017 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia M3.2 37 km 18 km
Dec 4, 2001 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia M3.1 50 km 9 km
Jun 28, 1991 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia M3.0 98 km 7 km
May 16, 2009 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia M3.0 98 km 13 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 117 km 10 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 143 km 9 km
Jan 22, 1995 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia M2.9 45 km 9 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 131 km 16 km
Feb 15, 2005 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia M2.8 75 km 11 km
Jan 10, 2012 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia M2.8 134 km 0 km
Jul 4, 2009 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 29 km 0 km
Jul 15, 2021 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 28 km 20 km
May 12, 2017 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia M2.8 25 km 4 km
Jul 6, 2023 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia M2.7 80 km 0 km
Aug 18, 2000 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia M2.7 104 km 10 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 — 297 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

66 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 48 km 32.2 mi 1
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 93 km 8.4 mi 1
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 37 km 9.2 mi 0
Apr 2, 2024 EF2 80 km 5.3 mi 0
Mar 23, 2022 EF2 88 km 1.9 mi 0
Oct 7, 2014 EF2 28 km 3.0 mi 0
Apr 8, 2011 EF2 44 km 1.9 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 90 km 4.9 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 89 km 1.1 mi 0
Jun 22, 1990 EF2 62 km 5.0 mi 0
May 26, 1990 EF2 88 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 21, 1977 EF2 87 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 11, 1976 EF2 53 km 4.1 mi 0
Apr 24, 1975 EF2 72 km 6.0 mi 0
Jan 25, 1975 EF2 89 km 3.2 mi 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF2 95 km 6.5 mi 0
Apr 12, 1965 EF2 4 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 8, 1965 EF2 28 km 0.5 mi 0
Feb 25, 1961 EF2 68 km 3.0 mi 0
May 17, 1953 EF2 99 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: UNNAMED (41,794 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 41,794 96 km
1991 KAYFORD MOUNTAIN 31,509 75 km
1987 ELLIS CREEK 24,070 68 km
1991 UNNAMED 22,282 95 km
1991 TUG RIVER 20,813 98 km
1991 BROWNS BRANCH 17,324 76 km
1991 HUFF CREEK 15,190 71 km
1987 RUCKERS BRANCH 14,744 97 km
1991 ROLLINS BRANCH 14,435 64 km
1991 GAULEY MTN 13,113 89 km
1991 TOMS BRANCH 11,849 85 km
2012 ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES 11,055 94 km
1991 BRUSHY FORK 10,704 70 km
1987 PINE CREEK 8,864 94 km
1994 SCISSORSVILLE BRANCH 8,711 94 km
1991 CANEBRAKE 8,152 79 km
1994 UNNAMED 8,114 99 km
1991 DRY BRANCH 8,059 98 km
1987 RICK CREEK ROAD 7,740 89 km
2012 BARBOURS CREEK. 7,244 92 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 33°F (0°C) 2.8 in Coldest, Driest
February 34°F (1°C) 2.8 in
March 42°F (6°C) 3.4 in
April 51°F (10°C) 3.4 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.0 in
June 67°F (19°C) 3.4 in
July 71°F (22°C) 4.3 in Warmest, Wettest
August 69°F (21°C) 3.5 in
September 63°F (17°C) 3.2 in
October 53°F (11°C) 2.9 in
November 43°F (6°C) 2.8 in
December 35°F (2°C) 3.0 in

Princeton has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (2.8").

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