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Weather & Climate in South Boston, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Boston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 79°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 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 390 feet.
Temperature
39°F Jan (4°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.5°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 39°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 390 ft (119 m) |
| Area | 13.1 sq mi (33.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 605/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.7118°N, 78.9134°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Halifax County County |
| Nearest Airport | Danville Regional (DAN) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 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 | 90 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 145 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 132 km | 13 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 118 km | 10 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 114 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 92 km | 8 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 5 km SW of Greensboro, North Carolina | M2.7 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 94 km | 0 km |
| Mar 13, 2017 | 6 km ENE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.6 | 147 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 2015 | 4 km NNE of Goochland, Virginia | M2.5 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Mar 26, 2019 | 8 km E of Archdale, North Carolina | M2.5 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Sep 3, 2001 | Virginia | M2.5 | 95 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 297 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 269 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 108 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 221 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 255 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 224 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 169 km |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 298 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 273 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
214 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 259 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Nov 27, 1988 | EF4 | 95 km | 83.0 mi | 4 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF3 | 89 km | 8.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF3 | 74 km | 20.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 58 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| Nov 23, 1992 | EF3 | 74 km | 5.5 mi | 2 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 93 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 14 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1966 | EF3 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF2 | 50 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2022 | EF2 | 84 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 92 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 14 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 52 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 18 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 30 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 15 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 92 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 77 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 55 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TOTIERS FERRY (1,075 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | TOTIERS FERRY | 1,075 | 65 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 in |
South Boston has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 39°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.2") and November the driest (3.0").