Weather & Climate in Smithfield, VA

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

Smithfield enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 299 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 51.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 17 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (5°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	59.4°F
	10% above US avg
January Average	40°F (5°C)
July Average	78°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	17 ft (5 m)
Area	10.4 sq mi (26.9 km²)
Population Density	897/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9724°N, 76.6142°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Isle of Wight County County
Nearest Airport	Newport News/Williamsburg International (PHF) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.8"

36% above US avg

Snowfall 5.8"

Wettest Month (Jul) 5.24"

Driest Month (Nov) 3.11"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	37.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	14.4 / 100
Community Resilience	74.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively High
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Mar 15, 1991	7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia	M3.8	143 km	16 km
May 5, 2003	Virginia	M3.6	139 km	13 km
May 22, 2014	15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia	M3.1	143 km	10 km
Oct 2, 2010	10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia	M3.0	126 km	19 km
Aug 3, 1995	13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia	M2.9	47 km	1 km
Jan 14, 2025	1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia	M2.8	120 km	0 km
Mar 13, 2017	6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia	M2.6	134 km	11 km
Feb 26, 2015	4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia	M2.5	138 km	10 km
Sep 23, 2019	3 km WNW of Wyndham, Virginia	M2.5	123 km	8 km
Sep 3, 2001	Virginia	M2.5	150 km	5 km
Apr 29, 2000	3 km N of Glen Allen, Virginia	M2.5	113 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

16 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2019	Dorian	Category 2	98 mph	209 km
2016	Matthew	Category 1	81 mph	259 km
2014	Arthur	Category 2	98 mph	164 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	86 mph	87 km
2005	Ophelia	Category 1	81 mph	263 km
2004	Alex	Category 2	98 mph	225 km
2003	Isabel	Category 2	104 mph	101 km
1999	Irene	Category 2	109 mph	265 km
1999	Floyd	Category 1	81 mph	50 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 2	109 mph	145 km
1996	Bertha	Category 2	104 mph	237 km
1996	Fran	Category 2	75 mph	272 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	197 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	196 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	90 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	104 mph	143 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

361 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 14 fatalities, 712 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 6, 1993	EF4	77 km	1.0 mi	4
Apr 30, 2023	EF3	48 km	4.5 mi	0
Feb 24, 2016	EF3	98 km	30.3 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF3	22 km	46.9 mi	2
Apr 28, 2008	EF3	30 km	24.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1993	EF3	68 km	2.9 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	84 km	5.0 mi	1
Oct 14, 1986	EF3	47 km	5.0 mi	0
May 8, 1984	EF3	77 km	2.0 mi	0
May 8, 1984	EF3	71 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1984	EF3	67 km	14.0 mi	2
Sep 5, 1979	EF3	17 km	2.5 mi	0
Apr 19, 1978	EF3	86 km	35.6 mi	0
Jul 4, 1967	EF3	47 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	77 km	15.6 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	49 km	15.9 mi	0
Apr 19, 2019	EF2	58 km	3.1 mi	0
Mar 31, 2017	EF2	43 km	8.9 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	32 km	22.6 mi	0
Apr 16, 2011	EF2	67 km	2.8 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LATERAL WEST (6,188 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	LATERAL WEST	6,188	46 km
2008	SOUTH 1	5,940	46 km
1999	NORTH RIVER	3,055	90 km
2008	OLD STAGE ROAD	2,238	81 km
2008	MCPHERSON ROAD	2,087	55 km
2014	NCMCR-FY14-RX-MIDDLE MARSH	1,876	77 km
2010	1 1 2 NORTH MARSH FY 10	1,506	76 km
2005	1.1.2 NORTH MARSH	1,418	76 km
2005	1.2.1 WEST MIDDLE MARSH	1,338	77 km
1998	SE BLOCKS	1,278	49 km
1994	UNIT 5	1,148	76 km
2008	POCAHONTAS ROAD	1,146	93 km
1985	UNNAMED	1,091	73 km
2009	1 3 7 INDIAN CREEK MARSH FY 09	1,087	79 km
1999	CHURCHES ISLAND 2	1,013	89 km
2005	LONG ISLAND/RAGGED ISLAND RXB	982	72 km
1991	UNNAMED	908	78 km
2011	1.3.1 GREAT MARSH FY11	829	77 km
2003	1 3 2 INDIAN CREEK	782	78 km
2007	1-3-7 INDIAN MARSH	676	79 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (5°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	42°F (5°C)	3.6 in
March	49°F (9°C)	4.2 in
April	58°F (14°C)	3.2 in
May	66°F (19°C)	4.1 in
June	74°F (23°C)	4.0 in
July	78°F (26°C)	5.2 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	77°F (25°C)	5.0 in
September	71°F (22°C)	4.4 in
October	60°F (16°C)	3.5 in
November	52°F (11°C)	3.1 in	Driest
December	43°F (6°C)	3.5 in

Smithfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 40°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and November the driest (3.1").

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