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Weather & Climate in Richlands, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Richlands experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°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 44.6 inches. The area receives 17.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,996 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 53.4°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,996 ft (608 m) |
| Area | 5.7 sq mi (14.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 918/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0880°N, 81.8104°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Tazewell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 88 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
49 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 | 110 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 141 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 48 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 107 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 117 km | 9 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 150 km | 0 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 91 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 104 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 61 km | 16 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 139 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 95 km | 0 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 15 km | 11 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 129 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 89 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 88 km | 4 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 | — | 273 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 128 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 50 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 80 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 28 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 79 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 20 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 34 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2023 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2022 | EF1 | 89 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2019 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2017 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 66 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 91 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: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,345 | 92 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 96 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 65 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 100 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 61 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 83 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 96 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 50 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 68 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 92 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 91 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 96 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 79 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 69 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 78 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,264 | 86 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 11,117 | 67 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.3 in |
Richlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (3.2").