All Countries
Weather & Climate in Cowen, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cowen experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°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 55.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 100.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,233 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,233 ft (681 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 889/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.4106°N, 80.5539°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Webster County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 35.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.5 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively 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
40 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 | 60 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 36 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 38 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 105 km | 18 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 78 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 71 km | 7 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 138 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 122 km | 0 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 34 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 57 km | 13 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 132 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 39 km | 0 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 77 km | 17 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 63 km | 13 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 146 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
48 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 32 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 79 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 54 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 90 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 71 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 71 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 98 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 76 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 95 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 16 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2015 | EF1 | 60 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 82 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 13 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF1 | 92 km | 1.5 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 | 85 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 97 km |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 99 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 58 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 78 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 77 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 100 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 93 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 81 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 83 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 54 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 97 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 66 km |
| 1987 | JOES BRANCH | 6,340 | 94 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 77 km |
| 1991 | MILBURN | 4,777 | 80 km |
| 1999 | SCHYLER FORK | 4,417 | 75 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 82 km |
| 1999 | FULTON CREEK | 3,705 | 88 km |
| 1987 | LENS CREEK | 3,609 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 6.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 4.2 in |
Cowen has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 29°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (6.0") and February the driest (3.5").