Weather & Climate in Tazewell, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tazewell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 46.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 2,471 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.4°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,471 ft (753 m) |
| Area | 6.9 sq mi (17.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 643/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1289°N, 81.5066°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Tazewell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (ROA) 85 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 20.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 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 | 137 km | 17 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 146 km | 15 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 42 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 81 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 94 km | 9 km |
| Jan 1, 1993 | 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina | M3.0 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 77 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 124 km | 7 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 86 km | 16 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 64 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 108 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 37 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 68 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 147 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 62 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 61 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 83 km | 0 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 | - | 273 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
73 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 124 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 48 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 64 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 86 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Mar 23, 2022 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 93 km | 12.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 63 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 76 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 44 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1977 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 45 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2022 | EF1 | 73 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2021 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.9 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 | 78 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 80 km |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 98 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 95 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 68 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 80 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 90 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 68 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 72 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 98 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 11,117 | 82 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 93 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 93 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 9,384 | 95 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 85 km |
| 1991 | CANE ROCK | 9,017 | 100 km |
| 1987 | PINE CREEK | 8,864 | 83 km |
| 1994 | SCISSORSVILLE BRANCH | 8,711 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 40°F (4°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 4.1 in |
Tazewell has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 30°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and November the driest (3.0").