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Weather & Climate in Big Clifty, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Clifty experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°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 49.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 9.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 747 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.8°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (-0°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 747 ft (228 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 210/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5450°N, 86.1510°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Grayson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bowling Green-Warren County Regional (BWG) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 68.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 44.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 150 km | 16 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 75 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2023 | 6 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky | M3.0 | 104 km | 0 km |
| Nov 28, 1998 | 6 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky | M2.9 | 102 km | 0 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 126 km | 34 km |
| Jan 28, 1991 | 9 km SW of Sacramento, Kentucky | M2.8 | 106 km | 1 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 138 km | 30 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2000 | 0 km E of Darmstadt, Indiana | M2.7 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2001 | 5 km SSE of Spottsville, Kentucky | M2.7 | 114 km | 19 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 80 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 128 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 149 km | 17 km |
| Feb 27, 2020 | 5 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky | M2.6 | 101 km | 27 km |
| Sep 12, 2015 | 5 km SE of Corydon, Kentucky | M2.6 | 134 km | 17 km |
| Jan 8, 1995 | Kentucky | M2.6 | 99 km | 30 km |
| Mar 22, 1990 | 9 km E of Rochester, Kentucky | M2.6 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2000 | 6 km N of Boonville, Indiana | M2.6 | 117 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
421 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 95 fatalities, 1,261 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 79 km | 68.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 39 km | 32.0 mi | 31 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 99 km | 45.1 mi | 11 |
| May 28, 1996 | EF4 | 76 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 70 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 40 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 29 km | 37.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 81 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 76 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 66 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 81 km | 29.3 mi | 16 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | EF3 | 95 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 100 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2000 | EF3 | 13 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 3, 2000 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 89 km | 48.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 79 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 35 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 83 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FLOATING MILL HOLLOW (2,422 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | FLOATING MILL HOLLOW | 2,422 | 38 km |
| 2008 | BROOKS KNOB | 2,225 | 39 km |
| 2012 | FY2012 CRYSTAL CAVE BROADCAST BURN | 2,221 | 38 km |
| 2010 | JOPPA CHURCH | 2,037 | 41 km |
| 2004 | JIM LEE | 1,770 | 42 km |
| 2009 | TEMPLE HILL | 1,628 | 37 km |
| 2009 | JIM LEE | 1,613 | 42 km |
| 2007 | DEAD DEER | 1,557 | 76 km |
| 2007 | Big Woods | 1,500 | 35 km |
| 2008 | GOBLIN KNOB | 1,445 | 35 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,336 | 67 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 66 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,039 | 74 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 959 | 67 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 910 | 72 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 892 | 72 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 848 | 96 km |
| 2024 | LONG RUN RX | 774 | 69 km |
| 2010 | RICEVILLE RX | 671 | 97 km |
| 2007 | DENNISON FERRY RX | 655 | 38 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 in |
Big Clifty has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 32°F in January to 75°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 49.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.0").