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Weather & Climate in Winchester, VA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Winchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°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 40.7 inches. The area receives 23.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 755 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 755 ft (230 m) |
| Area | 9.3 sq mi (24.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,045/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.1739°N, 78.1764°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Winchester city County |
| Nearest Airport | Winchester Regional (WGO) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very 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 | 142 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 141 km | 0 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 67 km | 7 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 138 km | 3 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 2012 | 12 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 139 km | 4 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 |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 278 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
289 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 103 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF4 | 69 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF3 | 80 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 99 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 93 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 84 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 89 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 25 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 64 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 76 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 1 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 71 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 94 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 8, 2004 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 70 km | 4.0 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 | 65 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 65 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 39 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 80 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 85 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,667 | 84 km |
| 2014 | CUB RUN RX | 2,868 | 84 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,460 | 62 km |
| 2024 | CAPON | 2,302 | 79 km |
| 2012 | NEIGHBOR MTN FIRE | 1,986 | 56 km |
| 2011 | SMITH RUN FIRE | 1,908 | 40 km |
| 2001 | NEW CREEK MTN | 1,689 | 94 km |
| 1999 | BOOTEN GAP | 1,652 | 83 km |
| 2024 | DOVE HOLLOW | 1,634 | 69 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,572 | 48 km |
| 1995 | SHENGAP | 1,385 | 78 km |
| 2006 | CARDINAL | 1,345 | 65 km |
| 2024 | GAULEY RIDGE RX | 1,263 | 95 km |
| 2012 | POINT 2 | 1,126 | 36 km |
| 2000 | BRAKE RUN SHEN. MT. RD. | 1,055 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 2.6 in |
Winchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (2.4").