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Weather & Climate in Rocky Mount, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rocky Mount enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 78°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 42.8 inches. The area receives 14.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,151 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.1°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,151 ft (351 m) |
| Area | 6.9 sq mi (17.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 721/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.0044°N, 79.8848°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Roanoke city County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 72.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 108 km | 15 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 89 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 111 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 29 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 135 km | 8 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 80 km | 9 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 87 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 87 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 90 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 81 km | 0 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 21 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 106 km | 13 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2018 | 2 km NE of Hays, North Carolina | M2.7 | 136 km | 2 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia | M2.6 | 118 km | 16 km |
| Mar 28, 2001 | 2 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.6 | 89 km | 0 km |
| Jul 11, 2006 | 9 km SSE of Rupert, West Virginia | M2.6 | 118 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (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 | 197 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 227 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 279 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
144 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 125 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 17 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 67 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 95 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF3 | 68 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 48 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 62 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2017 | EF2 | 96 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 100 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 82 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 29 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 32 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 53 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1996 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1996 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1994 | EF2 | 36 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 65 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: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 99 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 90 km |
| 2023 | MATTS CREEK | 11,028 | 76 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 70 km |
| 2008 | ANGEL | 4,129 | 42 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,518 | 68 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 43 km |
| 2002 | MARBLEYARD | 3,123 | 75 km |
| 2008 | LITTLE CUBA | 3,017 | 55 km |
| 2006 | PEAVINE COMPLEX | 2,950 | 83 km |
| 2010 | PATTERSON MTN | 2,443 | 67 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 69 km |
| 1986 | TUCKER | 1,976 | 71 km |
| 1995 | COVE | 1,675 | 51 km |
| 2015 | SHORT HILLS MOUNTAIN | 1,637 | 73 km |
| 1995 | SOUTH | 1,610 | 70 km |
| 2021 | PATTERSON MOUNTAIN RX | 1,584 | 67 km |
| 2008 | BLACKHORSE | 1,537 | 48 km |
| 1999 | FORT LEWIS MTN. | 1,525 | 40 km |
| 1991 | PINEY MOUNTAIN | 1,464 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.1 in |
Rocky Mount has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 38°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and January the driest (3.1").