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Weather & Climate in Berea, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Berea enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 961 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 58.3°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 961 ft (293 m) |
| Area | 16.1 sq mi (41.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 942/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5893°N, 84.2945°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Madison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
42 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 | 121 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 109 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 137 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 131 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 77 km | 1 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 82 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 92 km | 26 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 89 km | 1 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 145 km | 13 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 125 km | 12 km |
| May 20, 2023 | Kentucky-Tennessee border region | M2.8 | 143 km | 17 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 66 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Mar 8, 2015 | 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.8 | 103 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 131 km | 34 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 34 km | 30 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 110 km | 13 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 91 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
274 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 49 fatalities, 952 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 23 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 89 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 91 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 69 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 17 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 58 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 63 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 58 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 57 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1970 | EF3 | 75 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 88 km | 23.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 42 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Mar 4, 1955 | EF3 | 20 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 44 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
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 | 83 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 96 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 83 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 87 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 60 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 80 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 6,628 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 63 km |
| 1987 | LOCUST GAP | 6,014 | 68 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 5,823 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,679 | 100 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,426 | 51 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,938 | 94 km |
| 1991 | OTTER | 4,923 | 83 km |
| 1999 | GROUNDHOG | 4,258 | 83 km |
| 2000 | THOUSAND STICKS | 4,214 | 87 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 4,158 | 91 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 81 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,940 | 92 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,745 | 85 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.1 in |
Berea has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 36°F in February to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.0").