Big Stone Gap is a place that feels like it’s tucked away in a secret corner of the world. Nestled deep in the Appalachian Highlands, the weather here doesn't always play by the rules you see on the evening news in Richmond or Roanoke. Honestly, if you’re looking at the weather for Big Stone Gap VA right now, you’re seeing a classic mid-January snapshot of mountain life: it's cold, it's damp, and the air has that specific bite that only comes from being surrounded by high ridges.
As of early morning on Saturday, January 17, 2026, the temperature is sitting at 33°F, but it feels like 27°F because of a light southwest wind. There’s a 29% chance of rain right now, and the humidity is a thick 93%. Basically, it’s one of those "stay inside with a quilt" kind of mornings.
Why the Mountains Make Their Own Rules
You've probably noticed that the forecast for Big Stone Gap often looks a bit moodier than the rest of Virginia. That’s because of the orographic effect. When moist air hits those steep Appalachian slopes, it’s forced upward, cools down, and dumps its moisture right on top of us. This is why we get about 56 inches of precipitation a year—way more than the national average.
It’s also why we get the "Big Stone Gap Fog."
Sometimes you’ll wake up and the valley is just... gone. Just a white wall of mist. It’s beautiful, kinda spooky, and can make driving down to Natural Tunnel a bit of an adventure.
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The Breakdown for the Next Few Days
If you're planning your week, don't put the heavy coat away. Saturday (today) is looking cloudy with a high of 40°F and a low of 21°F. Tonight should clear up a bit into a partly cloudy sky.
Tomorrow, Sunday, January 18, things get even crispier. We’re looking at:
- High: 27°F
- Low: 20°F
- Condition: Mostly sunny, which is nice, but that wind from the west at 8 mph will keep things feeling pretty sharp.
Monday and Tuesday stay cold, with highs of 30°F and 24°F respectively. In fact, Tuesday night might be the coldest stretch of the week, dipping down to a frigid 8°F.
What Most People Get Wrong About Our Winters
People think "South" and assume we don't see snow. Big mistake.
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While we aren't exactly the North Pole, we average about 9.2 inches of snow annually, though that can vary wildly. Some years, we get a dusting; other years, the gaps get choked with drifts that stay for a week. The "cold season" here officially lasts from about December 1 to February 28, with January 29 usually being the absolute coldest day of the year on average.
But here’s the thing: it’s the "wet" cold that gets you. Unlike a dry cold out west, the humidity in Big Stone Gap stays high even in winter—often above 70%. That moisture in the air transfers heat away from your body faster. A 30-degree day here feels a lot different than a 30-degree day in Denver.
The "Goldilocks" Summer
Honestly, if you can make it through the gray January slush, the payoff is the summer.
While the rest of the South is melting in 95-degree heat with 100% humidity, Big Stone Gap is usually sitting pretty. Our "warm season" runs from late May to late September. The average high in July is only about 83.8°F.
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Sure, it gets "sticky" because we’re in a humid subtropical zone, but we are typically about 10 degrees cooler than the Tidewater region. It makes the Greenbelt Trail or a hike up to the Powell Valley Overlook actually bearable in July.
Survival Tips for Big Stone Gap Weather
If you’re living here or just visiting for the Blue Highway Fest or the Gathering in the Gap, you need a strategy.
- The Three-Layer Rule: Don't just wear one big coat. Wear a base layer to wick moisture (remember that 93% humidity?), a middle layer for insulation, and a shell to block the wind coming through the gaps.
- Watch the Ridges: If you see dark clouds "stacking" on the mountains to the west, you have about 20 minutes before it hits the valley floor.
- Respect the Black Ice: Because our nights drop below freezing so often (the average low tonight is 21°F), any moisture on the roads from today's light rain will turn into a skating rink by dawn.
Actionable Next Steps
To stay ahead of the weather for Big Stone Gap VA, your best bet is to check the local micro-area sensors rather than a generic national map.
- Check the Dew Point: In the summer, if the dew point is over 70, stay hydrated and hike early.
- Monitor Wind Direction: If the wind shifts to the northwest in winter, expect the temperature to tank within hours.
- Prep Your Vehicle: Keep an ice scraper and a blanket in the car from October through April. The gaps can trap cold air longer than the open valleys.
Whether you're heading to a football game at Bullitt Park or just grabbing coffee downtown, keep an eye on those clouds rolling over the ridges. They're usually telling a story.