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Weather & Climate in South Hill, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Hill enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 81°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 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 440 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
81°F Jul (27°C)
| Annual Average | 60.3°F |
| 12% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 81°F (27°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 440 ft (134 m) |
| Area | 9.9 sq mi (25.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 480/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.7257°N, 78.1289°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Mecklenburg County County |
| Nearest Airport | Halifax/Northampton Regional (RZZ) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 54.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 29.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively 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 |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
36 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M5.8 | 133 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 137 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 82 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 115 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 101 km | 13 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 123 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 147 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 137 km | 19 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 132 km | 9 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 136 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 88 km | 8 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2025 | 1 km NNE of Wyndham, Virginia | M2.8 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 135 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
14 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2019 | Dorian | Category 2 | 104 mph | 284 km |
| 2018 | Florence | Category 2 | 98 mph | 276 km |
| 2016 | Matthew | Category 1 | 81 mph | 296 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 98 mph | 249 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 86 mph | 203 km |
| 2005 | Ophelia | Category 1 | 86 mph | 293 km |
| 2004 | Alex | Category 2 | 98 mph | 300 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 2 | 104 mph | 38 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 165 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 2 | 109 mph | 212 km |
| 1996 | Bertha | Category 2 | 104 mph | 198 km |
| 1996 | Fran | Category 2 | 75 mph | 177 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 207 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 104 mph | 273 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
249 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 429 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1993 | EF4 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 4 |
| Sep 27, 2024 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2023 | EF3 | 84 km | 13.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 86 km | 16.9 mi | 1 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF3 | 72 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 14, 1986 | EF3 | 33 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1984 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 42 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1978 | EF3 | 53 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 24, 1969 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2018 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2018 | EF2 | 89 km | 7.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 56 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 18.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 84 km | 26.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 2011 | EF2 | 51 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 27, 2010 | EF2 | 69 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 20, 1998 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OLD STAGE ROAD (2,238 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | OLD STAGE ROAD | 2,238 | 61 km |
| 2008 | LYNCH ROAD | 1,824 | 59 km |
| 2008 | POCAHONTAS ROAD | 1,146 | 44 km |
| 2008 | SYCAMORE SHORES | 1,044 | 72 km |
| 2008 | HIGHWAY 1 | 766 | 72 km |
| 2017 | VAGDR FY17 RX DGIF SUPPORT | 674 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 40°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 81°F (27°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 in |
South Hill has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 40°F in January to 81°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and April the driest (3.1").