Weather & Climate in Big Chimney, WV

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

Big Chimney 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 293 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 46.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.5 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 871 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (2°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	56.2°F
	4% above US avg
January Average	35°F (2°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	871 ft (265 m)
Area	2.1 sq mi (5.3 km²)
Population Density	249/sq mi
Coordinates	38.4152°N, 81.5318°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Kanawha County County
Nearest Airport	West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 4 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.2"

22% above US avg

Snowfall 31.5"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.96"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.80"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	94.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	58.0 / 100
Community Resilience	82.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
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

51 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.

Nov 20, 2013	2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio	M3.5	129 km	8 km
Apr 22, 1991	14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia	M3.5	127 km	15 km
May 24, 2017	1 km S of McArthur, Ohio	M3.4	122 km	10 km
Mar 31, 2013	West Virginia	M3.4	66 km	8 km
Apr 24, 2009	7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio	M3.4	86 km	8 km
Apr 4, 2010	14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia	M3.4	57 km	0 km
Sep 13, 2017	11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia	M3.2	128 km	18 km
Feb 3, 2025	2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio	M3.1	107 km	26 km
Dec 4, 2001	9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia	M3.1	103 km	9 km
Aug 31, 2011	3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio	M3.1	122 km	5 km
Jun 28, 1991	4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia	M3.0	27 km	7 km
Apr 2, 2017	5 km W of Graysville, Ohio	M3.0	141 km	4 km
Apr 25, 2020	2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky	M2.9	126 km	27 km
Jul 4, 2009	3 km E of Narrows, Virginia	M2.8	138 km	0 km
Feb 3, 2025	0 km NE of Reno, Ohio	M2.8	108 km	10 km
Jul 30, 2013	12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia	M2.8	72 km	13 km
Aug 31, 2011	2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia	M2.8	112 km	5 km
May 6, 2002	3 km SE of Racine, Ohio	M2.8	67 km	5 km
Feb 15, 2005	12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia	M2.8	140 km	11 km
Jan 10, 2012	14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia	M2.8	58 km	0 km

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

Tornado History

92 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 81 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Sep 16, 2010	EF3	86 km	9.1 mi	1
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	86 km	9.2 mi	0
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	82 km	32.2 mi	1
Apr 8, 1965	EF3	98 km	6.9 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF2	59 km	5.3 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF2	24 km	8.0 mi	0
Oct 7, 2014	EF2	95 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 2003	EF2	93 km	2.5 mi	0
May 8, 2002	EF2	87 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 2000	EF2	84 km	2.5 mi	0
Jan 8, 1998	EF2	90 km	2.0 mi	0
May 26, 1990	EF2	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Mar 13, 1967	EF2	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 25, 1961	EF2	59 km	3.0 mi	0
May 9, 2024	EF1	97 km	3.4 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF1	11 km	2.3 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF1	71 km	4.2 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF1	23 km	5.1 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF1	42 km	8.5 mi	0
Apr 2, 2024	EF1	80 km	0.6 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	77 km
1991	KAYFORD MOUNTAIN	31,509	47 km
1991	JENNINGS CREEK	29,308	93 km
1987	UNNAMED	27,317	97 km
1991	WHITE OAK BRANCH	25,550	35 km
1987	ELLIS CREEK	24,070	57 km
1991	BROWNS BRANCH	17,324	54 km
1991	HUFF CREEK	15,190	82 km
1987	RUCKERS BRANCH	14,744	44 km
1987	UNNAMED	14,554	87 km
1991	ROLLINS BRANCH	14,435	72 km
1991	GAULEY MTN	13,113	44 km
1991	ROCK HOUSE BRANCH	13,056	91 km
1991	TOMS BRANCH	11,849	38 km
1991	BRUSHY FORK	10,704	56 km
1991	LEFT FORK	10,196	25 km
1991	CANE ROCK	9,017	70 km
1987	PINE CREEK	8,864	89 km
1991	CANEBRAKE	8,152	90 km
1991	DRY BRANCH	8,059	25 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	35°F (2°C)	3.3 in	Coldest
February	36°F (2°C)	3.1 in
March	44°F (7°C)	3.9 in
April	54°F (12°C)	3.5 in
May	63°F (17°C)	4.1 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.9 in
July	76°F (24°C)	5.0 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	73°F (23°C)	4.3 in
September	67°F (19°C)	3.7 in
October	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	3.4 in
December	37°F (3°C)	3.4 in

Big Chimney has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 35°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (2.8").

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