Ferrum has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 86°, a January night drops to 27°, and about 13 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Ferrum at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Ferrum’s climate
Read from where Ferrum sits among Virginia’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
13 inches of snow, 48 of rain and melt
September is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 126 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Ferrum feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 188 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 20 and the first by October 25.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Ferrum’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
188 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 20 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 25.
About 13" a winter over 4 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 10 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from November through March. Heating is 80% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 26 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 86°.
The nicest months are April, May, June, September and October. 4.5 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Ferrum averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in February (+2.2°).
A bigger shift than in 60% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Ferrum compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Virginia.
Ferrum weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 47° | 27° | 3.7" | 3.6" | 10 | 4 | 30° – 43° |
| February | 51° | 29° | 3.0" | 4.9" | 9 | 3 | 32° – 47° |
| March | 59° | 35° | 4.0" | 2.5" | 10 | 1 | 41° – 55° |
| April | 69° | 43° | 4.0" | 0.2" | 11 | 0 | 52° – 61° |
| May | 76° | 52° | 4.6" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 59° – 70° |
| June | 83° | 61° | 4.7" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 67° – 76° |
| July | 86° | 65° | 4.0" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 72° – 79° |
| August | 85° | 64° | 4.2" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 70° – 79° |
| September | 79° | 57° | 4.9" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 64° – 73° |
| October | 69° | 45° | 3.6" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 54° – 61° |
| November | 59° | 35° | 3.6" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 41° – 52° |
| December | 50° | 30° | 3.8" | 1.4" | 10 | 2 | 31° – 49° |
| Year | 68° | 45° | 48.0" | 12.6" | 126 | 10 |
Heating and cooling a home in Ferrum
80% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. December swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 31° to 49°. July is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Ferrum’s climate
What is the coldest month in Ferrum?
January, with a typical high of 47° and a low of 27°.
What is the hottest month in Ferrum?
July, with a typical high of 86° and a low of 65°. About 26 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Ferrum get?
About 13 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Ferrum?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 25, and the last spring frost by April 20.
What is the rainiest month in Ferrum?
September, with 4.9 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 48 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Ferrum.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Ferrum itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Rocky Mt, VA (6 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.