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Weather & Climate in Beckley, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Beckley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 305 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 43.4 inches. The area receives 38.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,395 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,395 ft (730 m) |
| Area | 9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,787/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7731°N, 81.1616°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Raleigh County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 67.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 38.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 86 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 101 km | 8 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 94 km | 0 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 52 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 53 km | 7 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 118 km | 13 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 87 km | 9 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 121 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 91 km | 0 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 60 km | 0 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 93 km | 11 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 66 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 62 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 52 km | 17 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 127 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 62 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 15 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 13 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 93 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 37 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 19 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 63 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 56 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 61 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 23 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 88 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 71 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 52 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 67 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2021 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 2021 | EF1 | 96 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2019 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY (61,231 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 88 km |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 32 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 95 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 63 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 31 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 96 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 88 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 41 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 55 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 61 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 40 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 44 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 93 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 41 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 11,117 | 96 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 87 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 33 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 60 km |
| 1991 | CANE ROCK | 9,017 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 3.0 in | |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.3 in |
Beckley has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 30°F in January to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and January the driest (3.0").