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Weather & Climate in The University of Virginia's College at Wise, VA

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

The University of Virginia's College at Wise experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 71°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 51.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,547 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average53.4°F
1% below US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,547 ft (776 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²)
Population Density1,251/sq mi
Coordinates36.9724°N, 82.5574°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyWise County County
Nearest AirportFoothills Regional (MRN)
95 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.6"
36% above US avg
Snowfall 47.1"
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.84"
Driest Month (Oct) 3.19"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score50.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability62.5 / 100
Community Resilience6.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave No Rating
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

75 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 48 km 17 km
Aug 17, 1990 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky M4.0 74 km 1 km
Jul 30, 1997 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee M3.8 102 km 23 km
Jan 20, 2020 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M3.8 144 km 35 km
Sep 17, 2004 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky M3.7 129 km 1 km
Jun 26, 1995 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia M3.4 99 km 2 km
Feb 12, 1994 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia M3.4 53 km 5 km
Mar 5, 2019 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee M3.4 129 km 17 km
Jan 27, 2009 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky M3.2 142 km 26 km
Nov 8, 1990 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky M3.2 45 km 0 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee M3.2 140 km 17 km
Jul 26, 2001 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.2 143 km 14 km
Apr 29, 2018 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee M3.1 106 km 21 km
Jan 17, 1999 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky M3.1 111 km 1 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 129 km 2 km
Jul 7, 1995 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee M3.0 84 km 10 km
Apr 13, 2001 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee M3.0 86 km 0 km
Nov 24, 2012 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee M3.0 144 km 7 km
Jul 17, 2019 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee M3.0 117 km 13 km
Aug 14, 2009 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia M2.9 29 km 16 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 — 285 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

92 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 171 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 97 km 13.6 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF3 65 km 19.6 mi 3
Jul 10, 1980 EF3 88 km 1.9 mi 0
Apr 4, 1974 EF3 58 km 8.4 mi 1
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 82 km 12.0 mi 2
Apr 27, 2011 EF2 77 km 8.8 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 11 km 1.7 mi 0
May 8, 2009 EF2 54 km 1.1 mi 0
May 18, 1995 EF2 86 km 24.0 mi 0
Jul 6, 1980 EF2 76 km 11.5 mi 0
Jan 25, 1975 EF2 73 km 3.2 mi 0
Apr 22, 1967 EF2 87 km 0.2 mi 0
Mar 12, 1967 EF2 99 km 16.0 mi 1
Jun 3, 1962 EF2 52 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 8, 1957 EF2 77 km 3.0 mi 0
Mar 5, 1955 EF2 62 km 4.3 mi 0
Sep 24, 2024 EF1 71 km 6.0 mi 0
Aug 14, 2023 EF1 98 km 3.0 mi 0
May 16, 2023 EF1 37 km 0.6 mi 0
May 16, 2023 EF1 54 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 66,345 55 km
1987 UNNAMED 66,145 90 km
1987 UNNAMED 41,794 80 km
1987 UNNAMED 38,312 90 km
1987 UNNAMED 32,565 59 km
1987 UNNAMED 27,317 91 km
1991 UNNAMED 22,282 62 km
1987 UNNAMED 20,994 96 km
1991 TUG RIVER 20,813 83 km
2001 UNNAMED 18,013 78 km
1999 UNNAMED 17,759 67 km
1991 UNNAMED 17,406 45 km
1999 UNNAMED 17,328 43 km
1994 UNNAMED 15,526 38 km
1987 UNNAMED 15,138 44 km
1991 UNNAMED 14,264 81 km
1987 UNNAMED 13,124 76 km
1991 ROCK HOUSE BRANCH 13,056 97 km
1991 UNNAMED 11,117 74 km
1999 UNNAMED 10,990 40 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 34°F (1°C) 3.6 in Coldest
February 35°F (1°C) 3.7 in
March 43°F (6°C) 4.3 in
April 51°F (10°C) 4.0 in
May 59°F (15°C) 4.7 in
June 66°F (19°C) 4.1 in
July 71°F (22°C) 4.8 in Warmest, Wettest
August 69°F (21°C) 4.1 in
September 64°F (18°C) 3.6 in
October 53°F (12°C) 3.2 in Driest
November 44°F (6°C) 3.7 in
December 36°F (2°C) 3.6 in

The University of Virginia's College at Wise has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 34°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.2").

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