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Weather & Climate in Saltville, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Saltville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°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 48.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 10.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,710 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 53.9°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,710 ft (521 m) |
| Area | 8.0 sq mi (20.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 256/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8759°N, 81.7629°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Smyth County County |
| Nearest Airport | Foothills Regional (MRN) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very 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 | 118 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 29 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 23 km | 5 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 115 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 130 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 115 km | 2 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 89 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 80 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 55 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 38 km | 11 km |
| Mar 6, 2006 | 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina | M2.8 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 111 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 93 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 93 km | 4 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 136 km | 13 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 | — | 249 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
84 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 134 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 30 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1980 | EF3 | 92 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 99 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 14 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 95 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 58 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 73 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 18 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 11 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1965 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF2 | 99 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 2024 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 25, 2024 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 11, 2024 | EF1 | 99 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2023 | EF1 | 74 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 94 km | 0.6 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 | 89 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 81 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 72 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 92 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 93 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 92 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 11,117 | 89 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 83 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 9,384 | 96 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 77 km |
| 1987 | PINE CREEK | 8,864 | 99 km |
| 1994 | SCISSORSVILLE BRANCH | 8,711 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 8,204 | 87 km |
| 1991 | CANEBRAKE | 8,152 | 89 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,114 | 77 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,177 | 90 km |
| 1991 | MUD LICK CREEK | 7,111 | 74 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 6,457 | 78 km |
| 1987 | SAMS BRANCH | 5,872 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.3 in |
Saltville has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and November the driest (3.3").