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Weather & Climate in Chaplin, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chaplin enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 77°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 51.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 806 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 56.8°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 806 ft (246 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 422/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.8991°N, 85.2210°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Washington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 71.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
14 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 35 km | 34 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 56 km | 30 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 46 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 47 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 71 km | 17 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Jul 23, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky | M2.6 | 143 km | 4 km |
| Jan 21, 2018 | 8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.6 | 52 km | 11 km |
| Jan 28, 2024 | 3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky | M2.5 | 144 km | 15 km |
| Jan 4, 1999 | 9 km WNW of Mount Sterling, Kentucky | M2.5 | 105 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
461 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 48 fatalities, 1,514 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 28, 1996 | EF4 | 54 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 79 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 57 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 79 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 97 km | 27.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 63 km | 37.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 66 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 21 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 86 km | 35.6 mi | 11 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 86 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 92 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 58 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF3 | 51 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 72 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 70 km | 4.8 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 64 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 89 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 85 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 72 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF3 | 83 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (940 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 940 | 95 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) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.3 in |
Chaplin has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 35°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (2.9").