Climate of Virginia
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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, plus the southern part of the Shenandoah 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).[1] Severe weather, in the form of tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and winter storms impact the state on a regular basis.
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[edit] Climate zones
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 nor'easters 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 1996.[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] An additional element in recent years is the expansion of the southern suburbs of Washington into northern Virginia, creating an urban heat island due to the increased energy output of the city. However, aside from the urban stations, no global warming effects have been noted by Virginia weather stations by 2001.[3]
[edit] Temperatures
| Monthly Normal High and Low Temperatures For Various Virginia Cities[4] | |||||||||||||
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lynchburg | Hi | 37 °F (2.8 °C) | 42 °F (5.6 °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 | 22 °F (−5.6 °C) | 27 °F (−2.8 °C) | 30 °F (−1.1 °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) | 35 °F (1.7 °C) | 28 °F (−2.2 °C) | |
| Norfolk | Hi | 48 °F (8.9 °C) | 50 °F (10.0 °C) | 58 °F (14.4 °C) | 67 °F (19.4 °C) | 75 °F (23.9 °C) | 83 °F (28.3 °C) | 87 °F (30.6 °C) | 85 °F (29.4 °C) | 79 °F (26.1 °C) | 69 °F (20.6 °C) | 61 °F (16.1 °C) | 52 °F (11.1 °C) |
| Lo | 32 °F (0.0 °C) | 34 °F (1.1 °C) | 40 °F (4.4 °C) | 48 °F (8.9 °C) | 58 °F (14.4 °C) | 66 °F (18.9 °C) | 71 °F (21.7 °C) | 70 °F (21.1 °C) | 65 °F (18.3 °C) | 53 °F (11.7 °C) | 44 °F (6.7 °C) | 36 °F (2.2 °C) | |
| Richmond | Hi | 45 °F (7.2 °C) | 49 °F (9.4 °C) | 58 °F (14.4 °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) | 60 °F (15.6 °C) | 50 °F (10.0 °C) |
| Lo | 28 °F (−2.2 °C) | 30 °F (−1.1 °C) | 37 °F (2.8 °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) | 38 °F (3.3 °C) | 31 °F (−0.6 °C) | |
| Roanoke | Hi | 39 °F (3.9 °C) | 43 °F (6.1 °C) | 58 °F (14.4 °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) | 45 °F (7.2 °C) |
| Lo | 25 °F (−3.9 °C) | 27 °F (−2.8 °C) | 32 °F (0.0 °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) | 29 °F (−1.7 °C) | |
[edit] Severe weather
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.[5] 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.[6] 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] Eastern Virginia has a lower rate of tornadoes, and the state averages around 2 tornadoes per year. The last tornado that Virginia experienced was 28 April 2008.
[edit] See Also
- Climate
- Climate of the United States
- List of wettest known tropical cyclones in Virginia
- United States tropical cyclone rainfall climatology
[edit] References
- ^ Climate of Virginia. GEOG 202. Radford University (March 14, 2000). Retrieved on 2007-11-21.
- ^ Climate of Virginia. Charles A. Grymes. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
- ^ Advisory 01/07: The Hot Get Hotter? Urban Warming and Air Quality. University of Virginia Climatology Office. Retrieved on 2007-07-30.
- ^ Virginia Weather And Climate. US Travel Weather (August 30, 2007). Retrieved on 2007-11-25.
- ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Gaston Rainfall Graphic. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
- ^ David M. Roth. Hurricane Camille Rainfall Page. Retrieved on 2008-01-13.
[edit] External Links
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