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Weather & Climate in Rural Retreat, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rural Retreat experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°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 41.7 inches. The area receives 18.4 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 2,572 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,572 ft (784 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 708/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.9051°N, 81.2773°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wythe County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 77 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
39 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 | 149 km | 15 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 25 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 81 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 102 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 68 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 119 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 89 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 98 km | 16 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 46 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 65 km | 11 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 143 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 55 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 57 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 53 km | 0 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 68 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 299 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 246 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
99 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 125 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 85 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 58 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 78 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 45 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 44 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 99 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 46 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2024 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | EF1 | 93 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | EF1 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2023 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (22,282 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 99 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 100 km |
| 1991 | MUD LICK CREEK | 7,111 | 88 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 46 km |
| 1991 | BRADSHAW | 5,029 | 65 km |
| 1987 | KIWIS CREEK | 4,879 | 52 km |
| 2001 | CROCKETT BRANCH | 4,702 | 60 km |
| 2001 | MOUNTAIN FORK | 4,393 | 58 km |
| 1987 | SANDY HUFF BRANCH | 4,022 | 78 km |
| 2001 | ELK CREEK | 3,983 | 99 km |
| 1987 | SOUTH FORK OF TUG RIVER | 3,490 | 49 km |
| 2006 | BULL MOUNTAIN | 3,300 | 99 km |
| 1987 | NANCY FORK | 3,198 | 73 km |
| 1999 | MULLINS BRANCH | 3,148 | 89 km |
| 1991 | MULLENS BRANCH | 3,059 | 83 km |
| 1995 | JIM BRANCH | 3,019 | 64 km |
| 1991 | JOHNSON HOLLOW | 2,987 | 45 km |
| 1987 | UPPER STURGEON BRANCH | 2,822 | 95 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 2,702 | 100 km |
| 1987 | RAYSAL | 2,658 | 64 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 2.9 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 2.9 in |
Rural Retreat has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and January the driest (2.9").