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Weather & Climate in Buckhorn, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buckhorn enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 76°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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 747 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 747 ft (228 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 203/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3466°N, 83.4698°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Owsley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
68 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 | 44 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 47 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 93 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 | 66 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 119 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 98 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 87 km | 26 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 150 km | 17 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 47 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 58 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 117 km | 21 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 108 km | 13 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 118 km | 16 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 135 km | 10 km |
| May 20, 2023 | Kentucky-Tennessee border region | M2.8 | 110 km | 17 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 113 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 141 km | 34 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
160 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 38 fatalities, 482 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 100 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 63 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 43 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 95 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 79 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 48 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Mar 4, 1955 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 68 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 87 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 59 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 99 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2001 | EF2 | 59 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1996 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 9 km | 24.0 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 | 65 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 15 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 96 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 91 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 69 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 23 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 48 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 59 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 60 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 72 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 65 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 13,124 | 61 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 53 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 83 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 39 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 83 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 9,384 | 92 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 91 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 42 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 8,287 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Buckhorn has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 34°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.0").