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Weather & Climate in Southern Gateway, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Southern Gateway enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 293 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 43.4 inches. The area receives 11.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 234 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 56.8°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 234 ft (71 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 693/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3448°N, 77.5029°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Fredericksburg city County |
| Nearest Airport | Manassas Regional/Harry P Davis Field (MNZ) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 8.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
47 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 | 62 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 60 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 62 km | 0 km |
| Oct 21, 1998 | 13 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.8 | 131 km | 13 km |
| Mar 15, 1991 | 7 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.8 | 76 km | 16 km |
| May 5, 2003 | Virginia | M3.6 | 89 km | 13 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 102 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 16 km NNW of Goochland, Virginia | M3.4 | 70 km | 0 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 58 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 86 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2014 | 15 km ENE of Cumberland, Virginia | M3.1 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 61 km | 3 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 65 km | 9 km |
| Oct 2, 2010 | 10 km NNW of Ashland, Virginia | M3.0 | 55 km | 19 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 62 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2025 | 8 km S of Dillwyn, Virginia | M3.0 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Aug 3, 1995 | 13 km N of Williamsburg, Virginia | M2.9 | 128 km | 1 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 95 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 218 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 184 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | 81 mph | 212 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 225 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 262 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
431 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 12 fatalities, 335 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF4 | 36 km | 38.0 mi | 3 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 49 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF3 | 75 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 32 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 79 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Apr 1, 1998 | EF3 | 53 km | 5.0 mi | 2 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 88 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 41 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 61 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Jan 26, 1978 | EF3 | 25 km | 0.7 mi | 1 |
| Jul 9, 1977 | EF3 | 82 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 74 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 53 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 1966 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 97 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 3, 2021 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 76 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 93 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,460 | 100 km |
| 2012 | NEIGHBOR MTN FIRE | 1,986 | 85 km |
| 2011 | SMITH RUN FIRE | 1,908 | 78 km |
| 1999 | BOOTEN GAP | 1,652 | 83 km |
| 1995 | SHENGAP | 1,385 | 94 km |
| 2006 | CARDINAL | 1,345 | 99 km |
| 2012 | POINT 2 | 1,126 | 94 km |
| 2024 | ROCKY BRANCH | 1,018 | 82 km |
| 2011 | CHOPPING ROAD | 889 | 50 km |
| 2024 | SERENITY RIDGE FIRE | 877 | 97 km |
| 1999 | DOG SLAUGH | 838 | 92 km |
| 1999 | NCO | 816 | 25 km |
| 2019 | KENNEDY PEAK | 769 | 96 km |
| 2008 | CHICKEN RANCH | 737 | 92 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 696 | 98 km |
| 1988 | DOVEL MTN | 641 | 94 km |
| 1994 | HICKORYRUN | 610 | 94 km |
| 1985 | LUCAS FIRE | 512 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 38°F (4°C) | 3.2 in |
Southern Gateway has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 36°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.8").