All Countries
Weather & Climate in Clay, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clay enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°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 48.5 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 381 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.5°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 381 ft (116 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,293/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4759°N, 87.8203°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Webster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Owensboro/Daviess County Regional (OWB) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 29.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 42.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
100 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 109 km | 14 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 109 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 59 km | 16 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 121 km | 16 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 124 km | 3 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 108 km | 18 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 106 km | 12 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 109 km | 13 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 66 km | 7 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 109 km | 19 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 122 km | 19 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 138 km | 4 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 107 km | 16 km |
| Jun 5, 2008 | 8 km WNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois | M3.4 | 109 km | 16 km |
| Sep 26, 1994 | 4 km ENE of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.4 | 113 km | 13 km |
| May 30, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois | M3.4 | 119 km | 26 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
519 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 46 fatalities, 727 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 77 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF4 | 36 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | EF3 | 51 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 46 km | 34.1 mi | 1 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 98 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 78 km | 44.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 27 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2011 | EF3 | 95 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 49 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF3 | 19 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 63 km | 18.1 mi | 3 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 66 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 92 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 66 km | 29.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 40 km | 41.3 mi | 24 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 21 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 49 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 81 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 12 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FRANKLIN CREEK RX (2,828 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | FRANKLIN CREEK RX | 2,828 | 75 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 64 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,282 | 76 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,837 | 92 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 57 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 57 km |
| 2007 | DEAD DEER | 1,557 | 80 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 70 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 56 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 57 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 89 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 57 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 64 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 56 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,216 | 55 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,203 | 56 km |
| 2024 | LBL - NWDA UNIT 3 RX | 1,187 | 70 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,167 | 63 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,039 | 83 km |
| 2024 | PINE HOLLOW RX | 1,038 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 47°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.3 in |
Clay has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 34°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.0").