Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan Resource Page
Virginia State Climate Summary
Virginia has a humid climate with very warm summers and moderately cold winters. There is substantial regional variation in climate due to the state’s diverse geographic elements, which include the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains in the west and the Atlantic coastal region in the east. Temperature and precipitation patterns are highly influenced by these geographic features, and the west and north tend to be cooler and drier than the eastern coastal region. Rainfall amounts generally decrease toward the west. For example, annual average (1991–2020 normals) precipitation is less than 40 inches in parts of the central mountain region of the state, compared to around 50 inches along the tidewater coastal region. Statewide average temperatures range from 35°F in January to 75°F in July. The Bermuda High, a semipermanent high-pressure system off the Atlantic coast, plays an important role in the summer climate of the state. Typically, the Bermuda High draws moisture northward or westward from the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, causing warm and moist summers with frequent thunderstorms in the afternoons and evenings. Daily and weekly variations in the positioning of the Bermuda High can strongly influence precipitation patterns.
Key Points:
- Temperatures in Virginia have risen more than 1.5°F since the beginning of the 20th century. Under a higher emissions pathway, historically unprecedented warming is projected during this century.
- Naturally occurring droughts are projected to be more intense because higher temperatures will increase evaporation rates, accelerating soil moisture loss and adversely affecting agriculture.
- The number and intensity of extreme heat and extreme precipitation events are projected to increase. Cold waves are projected to be less intense.
From Runkle et al. (2022). Click here for the full report.
| High Temperature | Low Temperature | 24-hour Precipitation | 24-Hour Snowfall | 24-Hour Snow Depth | Tornadoes | Wettest Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110°F July 15, 1954 (Balcony Falls) July 5, 1900; July 7, 1900 (Columbia) |
-30°F January 21, 1985 Mountain Lake Biological Station |
14.28 in. September 16, 1999 Williamsburg |
33.5 in. March 3, 1994 Luray |
47 in. January 7, 1996 Big Meadows |
18 | 2018, 63.53 in. |
Temperature, precipitation, and snowfall records obtained from NOAA/NCEI’s State Climate Extremes Committee. Tornado information obtained from NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center (average annual number of tornadoes from 1995-2024). Wettest year obtained from NOAA/NCEI’s Climate at Glance product.
Table last updated September 28, 2025.
Virginia Resource Links
- Commonwealth of Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023)
- FEMA Resources for Virginia
- Virginia Climate Center at George Mason University
- Climate and Hazard Mitigation Planning Tool (CHaMP)
Have questions about these resources, or looking for something else? Contact the Virginia Climate Center.