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Weather & Climate in Cawood, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cawood enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°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 52.2 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 1,627 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.9°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,627 ft (496 m) |
| Area | 1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 342/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.7916°N, 83.2325°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Harlan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 79 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
112 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 | 42 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 21 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 82 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 42 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 70 km | 1 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 140 km | 11 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 142 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 71 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 137 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 138 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 93 km | 17 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 96 km | 14 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 80 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 40 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 52 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 57 km | 21 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 31 km | 0 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 100 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
137 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 21 fatalities, 290 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 75 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 90 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 92 km | 15.8 mi | 6 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 51 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 80 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 98 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 73 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2001 | EF2 | 84 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 67 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 90 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1984 | EF2 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 24 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1977 | EF2 | 99 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1976 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF2 | 81 km | 19.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1967 | EF2 | 82 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 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 75 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 70 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 81 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 70 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 70 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 77 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 20 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 13,124 | 97 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 54 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 99 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 94 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 75 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 83 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 90 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 27 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 8,143 | 77 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,123 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,099 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Cawood has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.2").