Cheat Lake, WV

Full City Profile · West Virginia · Preston County County

5.0 /5.0
A+ Excellent
10,485 Population 731/sq mi density
$111,379 Median Income $65,868 per capita
$345,500 Home Value $271,933 Zillow
$1,113 Median Rent 29.3% income on rent
54°F Avg Temperature
A+
Overall
5.0 / 5.0
Strong
A+
Economy
5.0 / 5.0
$111,379 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$345,500 home value, $1,113/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
58.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Cheat Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.2 inches. The area receives 14.4 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average53.8°F
0% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Geography

Elevation1,282 ft (391 m)
Area15.8 sq mi (41.0 km²)
Population Density731/sq mi
Coordinates39.6636°N, 79.8481°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyPreston County County
Nearest AirportArnold Palmer Regional (LBE)
48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.2"
14% above US avg
Snowfall 14.4"
Wettest Month (Jul) 4.93"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.81"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score33.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability60.7 / 100
Community Resilience37.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

23 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.4. Most recent: M2.9 on May 9, 2025.

Jun 3, 2017 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio M3.4 127 km
Mar 31, 2013 West Virginia M3.4 142 km
Apr 4, 2010 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia M3.4 150 km
Apr 22, 2025 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio M3.1 142 km
Aug 31, 2011 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio M3.1 140 km
Apr 24, 2025 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio M3.1 147 km
Apr 2, 2017 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio M3.0 119 km
May 9, 2025 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio M2.9 147 km
Apr 29, 2025 1 km SE of Pleasant City, Ohio M2.8 146 km
Feb 3, 2025 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio M2.8 136 km
Aug 31, 2011 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia M2.8 125 km
Jul 30, 2013 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia M2.8 129 km
Apr 29, 2010 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia M2.7 141 km
Jul 20, 2013 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia M2.7 124 km
Aug 16, 2013 13 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia M2.6 131 km
Apr 29, 2010 3 km WNW of Gassaway, West Virginia M2.6 137 km
May 7, 2010 14 km WSW of Gassaway, West Virginia M2.6 150 km
Sep 4, 2011 3 km N of Saint Marys, West Virginia M2.6 119 km
Oct 16, 2000 West Virginia M2.5 147 km
Apr 29, 2010 5 km NNW of Gassaway, West Virginia M2.5 133 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

181 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 264 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998 EF4 69 km 0
May 31, 1998 EF3 66 km 1
Oct 1, 1986 EF3 90 km 0
Jun 3, 1980 EF3 16 km 0
Jul 11, 1976 EF3 82 km 1
May 19, 1967 EF3 55 km 1
Aug 3, 1963 EF3 73 km 2
Jun 26, 2024 EF2 83 km 0
May 11, 2024 EF2 70 km 0
Aug 25, 2023 EF2 46 km 0
Aug 1, 2022 EF2 71 km 0
Oct 21, 2021 EF2 84 km 0
Oct 2, 2018 EF2 66 km 0
Mar 23, 2011 EF2 69 km 0
Jun 2, 1998 EF2 20 km 0
Jun 2, 1998 EF2 75 km 0
Jun 2, 1998 EF2 57 km 0
Aug 15, 1997 EF2 87 km 0
Jun 30, 1990 EF2 57 km 0
Oct 1, 1986 EF2 30 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

3 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: NEW CREEK MTN (1,689 ac, 2001).

Year Name Acres Distance
2001 NEW CREEK MTN 1,689 90 km
2001 SOUTH BRANCH 519 98 km
2005 UNNAMED 510 94 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 32°F (0°C) 3.1 in Coldest
February 35°F (2°C) 2.8 in Driest
March 43°F (6°C) 3.7 in
April 54°F (12°C) 3.9 in
May 63°F (17°C) 4.3 in
June 70°F (21°C) 4.1 in
July 74°F (23°C) 4.9 in Warmest, Wettest
August 73°F (23°C) 3.7 in
September 67°F (19°C) 3.4 in
October 55°F (13°C) 3.1 in
November 45°F (7°C) 3.0 in
December 36°F (2°C) 3.2 in

Cheat Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 32°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and February the driest (2.8").

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