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Weather & Climate in Columbia, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbia experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°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 57.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.9 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 770 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 770 ft (235 m) |
| Area | 4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 994/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1034°N, 85.3075°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Adair County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 136 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 117 km | 1 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 146 km | 1 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 111 km | 26 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 136 km | 1 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 108 km | 34 km |
| Mar 8, 2015 | 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.8 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 136 km | 34 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 95 km | 30 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 133 km | 3 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 149 km | 26 km |
| Feb 12, 2020 | 3 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.7 | 137 km | 35 km |
| Mar 13, 2004 | 7 km N of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.7 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 119 km | 4 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 89 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 97 km | 17 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km ENE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.6 | 119 km | 25 km |
| Jan 4, 2016 | 11 km NNE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.6 | 133 km | 22 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
353 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 77 fatalities, 1,272 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 99 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 51 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 97 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 71 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 86 km | 37.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 68 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 19 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 21 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 14 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 36 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 96 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF3 | 88 km | 9.4 mi | 4 |
| May 23, 2000 | EF3 | 100 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 11 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 65 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 55 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 44 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 62 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 20, 1986 | EF3 | 31 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1979 | EF3 | 69 km | 12.7 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,635 acres, 2001).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 82 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,940 | 85 km |
| 2009 | GOBBLERS KNOB B | 3,851 | 78 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,571 | 92 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,258 | 93 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,835 | 91 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,734 | 94 km |
| 1999 | PIGSKIN | 2,712 | 91 km |
| 2022 | CUT GAP | 2,504 | 93 km |
| 2010 | FLOATING MILL HOLLOW | 2,422 | 70 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,355 | 99 km |
| 2000 | DARROW RDG | 2,265 | 85 km |
| 2008 | BROOKS KNOB | 2,225 | 80 km |
| 2012 | FY2012 CRYSTAL CAVE BROADCAST BURN | 2,221 | 68 km |
| 2010 | AUGER SPRINGS RX | 2,199 | 97 km |
| 2000 | SCHOOLHOUS | 2,155 | 83 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,128 | 95 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,084 | 92 km |
| 2010 | JOPPA CHURCH | 2,037 | 74 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 4.9 in |
Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 34°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.1") and October the driest (3.2").