Climate of Virginia

Due to its elevation, the Blue Ridge Mountains have a humid continental climate.

The climate of Virginia, a state on the east coast of the United States, is considered mild compared to other areas of the United States. Most of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge Mountains,the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, and the Roanoke Valley, has a humid subtropical climate (Koppen climate classification Cfa). In the mountainous areas west of the Blue Ridge, the climate becomes humid continental (Koppen Dfa) and maritime temperate (Koppen Cfb).^[1] Severe weather, in the form of tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and winter storms, impacts the state on a regular basis.

Climate zones

Further information: Climate of the United States

Many variations occur because of the state's significant relief. Elevations in Virginia vary from sea level to Mount Rogers at 5,729 ft (1,746 m) above sea level, with major gradations occurring at the edges of the Atlantic Ocean, the end of the Piedmont, and the Blue Ridge and Allegheny chains of the Appalachian Mountains. The moderating influence of the ocean from the east, powered by the Gulf Stream, also creates the potential for hurricanes near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Cold air masses arrive over the mountains, especially in winter, which can lead to significant snowfalls when coastal storms known as noreasters move up the Atlantic coast. Much of central and southern Virginia however has not had over one foot of snow in a single storm since the Blizzard of December 26th, 2004.^{[citation needed]}

The interaction of these elements with the state's topography create micro-climates in the Shenandoah Valley, the mountainous southwest, and the coastal plains that are slightly but noticeably distinct from each other.^[2]

Temperatures

The highest recorded temperature is 110 °F (43 °C) at Balcony Falls on July 15, 1954 and the lowest recorded temperature is −30 °F (−34 °C) at Mountain Lake on January 22, 1985.^{[citation needed]}

Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Virginia Cities[3]
City		Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Lynchburg	Hi	44 °F (6.7 °C)	47 °F (8.3 °C)	56 °F (13.3 °C)	68 °F (20.0 °C)	76 °F (24.4 °C)	82 °F (27.8 °C)	86 °F (30.0 °C)	85 °F (29.4 °C)	78 °F (25.6 °C)	68 °F (20.0 °C)	58 °F (14.4 °C)	44 °F (6.7 °C)
	Lo	28 °F (−2.2 °C)	29 °F (−1.7 °C)	38 °F (3.3 °C)	43 °F (6.1 °C)	51 °F (10.6 °C)	60 °F (15.6 °C)	64 °F (17.8 °C)	62 °F (16.7 °C)	56 °F (13.3 °C)	44 °F (6.7 °C)	39 °F (3.9 °C)	28 °F (−2.2 °C)
Virginia Beach	Hi	51 °F (10.6 °C)	55 °F (12.8 °C)	60 °F (15.6 °C)	68 °F (20.0 °C)	75 °F (23.9 °C)	83 °F (28.3 °C)	87 °F (30.6 °C)	86 °F (30.0 °C)	81 °F (27.2 °C)	72 °F (22.2 °C)	63 °F (17.2 °C)	52 °F (11.1 °C)
	Lo	32 °F (0.0 °C)	35 °F (1.7 °C)	42 °F (5.6 °C)	50 °F (10.0 °C)	56 °F (13.3 °C)	65 °F (18.3 °C)	70 °F (21.1 °C)	69 °F (20.6 °C)	65 °F (18.3 °C)	54 °F (12.2 °C)	44 °F (6.7 °C)	37 °F (2.8 °C)
Richmond	Hi	46 °F (7.8 °C)	50 °F (10.0 °C)	60 °F (15.6 °C)	69 °F (20.6 °C)	76 °F (24.4 °C)	84 °F (28.9 °C)	88 °F (31.1 °C)	86 °F (30.0 °C)	80 °F (26.7 °C)	69 °F (20.6 °C)	62 °F (16.7 °C)	49 °F (9.4 °C)
	Lo	27 °F (−2.8 °C)	31 °F (−0.6 °C)	41 °F (5.0 °C)	45 °F (7.2 °C)	55 °F (12.8 °C)	63 °F (17.2 °C)	68 °F (20.0 °C)	67 °F (19.4 °C)	60 °F (15.6 °C)	47 °F (8.3 °C)	40 °F (4.4 °C)	30 °F (−1.1 °C)
Roanoke	Hi	45 °F (7.2 °C)	49 °F (9.4 °C)	59 °F (15.0 °C)	68 °F (20.0 °C)	76 °F (24.4 °C)	83 °F (28.3 °C)	88 °F (31.1 °C)	86 °F (30.0 °C)	79 °F (26.1 °C)	69 °F (20.6 °C)	58 °F (14.4 °C)	46 °F (7.8 °C)
	Lo	26 °F (−3.3 °C)	29 °F (−1.7 °C)	39 °F (3.9 °C)	44 °F (6.7 °C)	52 °F (11.1 °C)	60 °F (15.6 °C)	65 °F (18.3 °C)	63 °F (17.2 °C)	57 °F (13.9 °C)	45 °F (7.2 °C)	37 °F (2.8 °C)	28 °F (−2.2 °C)

Severe weather

Thunderstorms are a frequent concern in Virginia.

Severe weather is a concern in Virginia. Hurricanes make the coastal area of Virginia vulnerable. It is rare for a major hurricane to threaten the Virginia coast as hurricanes this far north tend to weaken due to cooler coast waters and increasingly westerly winds aloft. Heavy rain from tropical cyclones remains a concern, however. Hurricane Isabel in 2003 brought much destruction from wind and rain, killing 10 directly and doing nearly two billion dollars in damage. Hurricane Gaston in 2004 inundated Richmond after moving ashore South Carolina.^[4] Virginia is often struck with the remnants of systems which hit along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, which also bring torrential rain to the state. Hurricane Camille was an extreme example, bringing 27 inches (690 mm) of rainfall to portions of Nelson county in a matter of hours.^[5] Thunderstorms are an occasional concern with the state averaging anywhere from 30-50 days of thunderstorm activity annually, with the highest area of occurrence going towards the west.^{[citation needed]}

Virginia averages seven tornadoes annually, though most are F2 and lower on the Fujita scale.^[6] However in 2004, Virginia had eighty-five in one year.^[7] Eastern Virginia has a lower rate of tornadoes, and the state averages around 2 tornadoes per year.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Environment of Virginia
• List of wettest known tropical cyclones in Virginia
• United States tropical cyclone rainfall climatology

References

1. ^ "World Map of Köppen−Geiger Climate Classification". http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pdf/kottek_et_al_2006_A1.pdf. Retrieved 2008-12-19. ^{[dead link]}
2. ^ "Climate of Virginia". Charles A. Grymes. http://www.virginiaplaces.org/classschedule/4climate.html. Retrieved 2007-07-30. 
3. ^ "Virginia Weather And Climate". Weather By Day. August 30, 2007. http://www.weatherbyday.com/virginia/. Retrieved 2007-11-25. 
4. ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Gaston Rainfall Graphic. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
5. ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Camille Rainfall Page. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
6. ^ Ricketts, Lauryn (February 7, 2008). "Tornadoes DO happen in Virginia!". TV3 Winchester. http://www.tv3winchester.com/blogs/laurynrickettsblog/15421801.html. Retrieved 2009-02-13. 
7. ^ "Natural Hazards : Tornadoes". Virginia Business Emergency Survival Toolkit. 2007. http://www.vdem.state.va.us/business/hazthreats/natural/tornadoes/index.cfm. Retrieved 2007-11-29. 

External links

• Virginia Hurricane History - NWS