Weather & Climate in Benham, KY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Benham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 74°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 56.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,570 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	54.5°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,570 ft (479 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	2,730/sq mi
Coordinates	36.9642°N, 82.9518°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Norton city County
Nearest Airport	Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 92 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 56.0"

47% above US avg

Snowfall 9.2"

Wettest Month (May) 4.84"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.23"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	1.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	85.3 / 100
Community Resilience	47.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	No Rating
Winter Weather	Very Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

84 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	21 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	39 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	73 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	113 km	35 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	94 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	87 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	133 km	2 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	102 km	17 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	18 km	0 km
Jan 27, 2009	4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky	M3.2	107 km	26 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	120 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.2	123 km	14 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	76 km	1 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	84 km	21 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	60 km	0 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	113 km	10 km
Nov 24, 2012	7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee	M3.0	126 km	7 km
Jan 1, 1993	4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina	M3.0	144 km	2 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	89 km	13 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	113 km	10 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

114 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 237 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 2, 2012	EF3	87 km	49.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	98 km	13.6 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	96 km	19.6 mi	3
May 9, 1988	EF3	82 km	5.0 mi	1
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	93 km	8.4 mi	1
Mar 2, 2012	EF2	77 km	2.6 mi	0
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	78 km	8.8 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	38 km	1.7 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	79 km	2.2 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	89 km	1.1 mi	0
May 18, 1995	EF2	60 km	24.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1980	EF2	50 km	11.5 mi	0
Apr 22, 1967	EF2	88 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 12, 1967	EF2	93 km	16.0 mi	1
Jun 3, 1962	EF2	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF2	83 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 1955	EF2	55 km	4.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 2024	EF1	50 km	6.0 mi	0
May 26, 2024	EF1	98 km	0.8 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	28 km	0.2 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	UNNAMED	66,345	57 km
1987	UNNAMED	66,145	66 km
1987	UNNAMED	38,312	98 km
1987	UNNAMED	32,565	79 km
1991	UNNAMED	22,282	87 km
1987	UNNAMED	20,994	91 km
2001	UNNAMED	18,013	57 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,759	58 km
1991	UNNAMED	17,406	42 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,328	41 km
1994	UNNAMED	15,526	46 km
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	12 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,264	94 km
1987	UNNAMED	13,124	72 km
1987	UNNAMED	11,817	76 km
1991	UNNAMED	11,117	94 km
1999	UNNAMED	10,990	56 km
1987	UNNAMED	10,817	85 km
1987	UNNAMED	9,572	51 km
1999	UNNAMED	9,384	77 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	3.8 in	Coldest
February	34°F (1°C)	3.9 in
March	42°F (6°C)	4.5 in
April	51°F (10°C)	4.1 in
May	59°F (15°C)	4.8 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	4.2 in
July	74°F (23°C)	4.8 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	4.1 in
September	64°F (18°C)	3.7 in
October	53°F (12°C)	3.2 in	Driest
November	44°F (6°C)	3.9 in
December	36°F (2°C)	3.9 in

Benham has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 34°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.2").

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