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Weather & Climate in Barbourville, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Barbourville enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 299 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 53.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 980 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 980 ft (299 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,196/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8657°N, 83.8832°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Knox County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 96.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
111 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 80 km | 17 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 147 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 45 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 50 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 50 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 13 km | 1 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 112 km | 11 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 65 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 123 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 104 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 101 km | 17 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 24 km | 26 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 8 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 77 km | 21 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 111 km | 7 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 61 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
176 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 23 fatalities, 392 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 84 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 45 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 100 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 32 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 49 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 89 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 12.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 77 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 73 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 30 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 57 km | 23.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2021 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 47 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 36 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2010 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 74 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,145 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 80 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 76 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 12 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 84 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 54 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 44 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 41 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,099 | 80 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 74 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,047 | 99 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,907 | 26 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 41 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 22 km |
| 2016 | LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL | 6,751 | 69 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 6,628 | 79 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 27 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 72 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 53 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 27 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 38°F (4°C) | 4.2 in |
Barbourville has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 35°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.1").