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Weather & Climate in Clay, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clay experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 290 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 52.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 755 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 755 ft (230 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 866/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.4615°N, 81.0849°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Clay County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 22.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 95.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
47 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 96 km | 15 km |
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 146 km | 8 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 30 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 116 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 21 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 115 km | 18 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 140 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 87 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 34 km | 7 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 135 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 45 km | 13 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 129 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 20 km | 0 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 138 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 133 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
72 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 65 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF3 | 99 km | 9.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 74 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 63 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 43 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 1998 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 37 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 93 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1967 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 54 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2024 | EF1 | 94 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 80 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 65 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 31 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 56 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2019 | EF1 | 62 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYFORD MOUNTAIN (31,509 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 57 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 66 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 70 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 73 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 74 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 90 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 33 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 46 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 71 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 53 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 43 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 32 km |
| 1991 | PEACHTREE | 6,635 | 79 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 34 km |
| 1987 | JOES BRANCH | 6,340 | 56 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 44 km |
| 1991 | ELSIE CREEK | 5,771 | 91 km |
| 1987 | HUNTERS BRANCH | 5,592 | 79 km |
| 1987 | BULL CREEK | 5,080 | 62 km |
| 1991 | BALL FORK | 4,961 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 53°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in |
Clay has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 33°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and February the driest (3.1").