Weather & Climate in Wise, VA

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

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 2,444 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	53.4°F
	1% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,444 ft (745 m)
Area	3.1 sq mi (7.9 km²)
Population Density	967/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9769°N, 82.5811°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wise County County
Nearest Airport	Foothills Regional (MRN) 96 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 Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	50.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	62.5 / 100
Community Resilience	6.1 / 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	46 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	72 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	100 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	143 km	35 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	127 km	1 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	101 km	2 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	55 km	5 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	128 km	17 km
Jan 27, 2009	4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky	M3.2	140 km	26 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	43 km	0 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	139 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	142 km	14 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	105 km	21 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	109 km	1 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	130 km	2 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	86 km	10 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	84 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	115 km	13 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	31 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	—	286 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	67 km	19.6 mi	3
Jul 10, 1980	EF3	89 km	1.9 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	60 km	8.4 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	84 km	12.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	77 km	8.8 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	10 km	1.7 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	57 km	1.1 mi	0
May 18, 1995	EF2	84 km	24.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1980	EF2	74 km	11.5 mi	0
Jan 25, 1975	EF2	75 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	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF2	78 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 1955	EF2	62 km	4.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 2024	EF1	70 km	6.0 mi	0
Aug 14, 2023	EF1	100 km	3.0 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	36 km	0.6 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	52 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	54 km
1987	UNNAMED	66,145	88 km
1987	UNNAMED	41,794	81 km
1987	UNNAMED	38,312	90 km
1987	UNNAMED	32,565	59 km
1987	UNNAMED	27,317	91 km
1991	UNNAMED	22,282	63 km
1987	UNNAMED	20,994	95 km
1991	TUG RIVER	20,813	83 km
2001	UNNAMED	18,013	76 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,759	65 km
1991	UNNAMED	17,406	43 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,328	42 km
1994	UNNAMED	15,526	38 km
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	42 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,264	81 km
1987	UNNAMED	13,124	75 km
1991	ROCK HOUSE BRANCH	13,056	97 km
1991	UNNAMED	11,117	75 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

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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