Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cross Plains enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 293 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). The area receives 20.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 951 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average
56.6°F
5% above US avg
January Average
33°F (1°C)
July Average
78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
951 ft (290 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
92/sq mi
Coordinates
38.9393°N, 85.2057°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Switzerland County County
Nearest Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) 30 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.5"
28% above US avg
Snowfall20.6"
Wettest Month (May)4.88"
Driest Month (Feb)2.87"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
11.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
33.8 / 100
Community Resilience
8.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 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
143 km
10 km
Jan 27, 1990
6 km N of Alton, Indiana
M3.8
136 km
5 km
Sep 12, 2004
4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana
M3.8
84 km
2 km
Dec 20, 1990
5 km S of Stilesville, Indiana
M3.7
142 km
5 km
Sep 8, 1990
5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky
M3.3
150 km
0 km
Aug 20, 2015
6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
M2.8
110 km
34 km
Mar 17, 1999
2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio
M2.8
121 km
0 km
May 11, 2025
11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky
M2.8
141 km
30 km
Mar 9, 1990
8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana
M2.7
123 km
5 km
Mar 21, 1990
1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky
M2.7
97 km
4 km
Jan 12, 2023
4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky
M2.6
139 km
35 km
May 11, 2015
5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky
M2.6
137 km
11 km
Jul 23, 2013
6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky
M2.6
112 km
4 km
Jan 29, 1990
11 km S of Paoli, Indiana
M2.6
122 km
0 km
Jan 21, 2018
8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky
M2.6
140 km
11 km
Jan 28, 2024
3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky
M2.5
125 km
15 km
Jan 4, 1999
9 km WNW of Mount Sterling, Kentucky
M2.5
139 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
512 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 69 fatalities, 2,268 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 3, 1974
EF5
28 km
20.8 mi
3
Mar 2, 2012
EF4
52 km
9.9 mi
4
Apr 9, 1999
EF4
79 km
10.0 mi
4
May 28, 1996
EF4
100 km
30.0 mi
0
Nov 22, 1992
EF4
40 km
26.7 mi
1
Jun 2, 1990
EF4
40 km
33.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1990
EF4
94 km
18.0 mi
0
Jul 9, 1980
EF4
79 km
11.0 mi
2
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
49 km
35.6 mi
4
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
64 km
35.6 mi
11
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
68 km
19.8 mi
2
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
20 km
27.1 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
95 km
18.5 mi
3
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
98 km
18.9 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF4
100 km
79.4 mi
4
Apr 23, 1968
EF4
78 km
78.7 mi
6
Apr 23, 1968
EF4
83 km
24.1 mi
1
Apr 25, 1961
EF4
88 km
63.1 mi
0
Mar 2, 2012
EF3
75 km
20.4 mi
3
Mar 2, 2012
EF3
22 km
8.7 mi
3
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1998
JPG 09 1
6,113
20 km
2005
RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06
5,054
19 km
2007
UNITS 8-9 2008
4,316
21 km
2006
UNIT 19 06 WUI
3,412
21 km
2003
WUI 3 03
3,372
20 km
2010
WUI UNIT 28K
3,230
20 km
1999
UNNAMED
3,122
21 km
2002
UNIT 8
2,753
22 km
2005
UNIT 3 05
2,511
21 km
2001
01 UNIT 16
2,361
18 km
2011
WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011
2,215
22 km
2004
UNIT 19
2,004
22 km
2003
UNIT 8 03
1,971
21 km
2008
FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008
1,942
21 km
2000
JPG 14
1,908
20 km
2003
UNIT 16 03
1,809
18 km
2021
UNNAMED
1,547
94 km
2002
UNIT 9
1,485
20 km
1995
UNNAMED
1,462
20 km
2010
TRACER
1,408
20 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
33°F (1°C)
3.0 in
February
33°F (0°C)
2.9 in
Coldest, Driest
March
43°F (6°C)
4.1 in
April
52°F (11°C)
4.4 in
May
62°F (17°C)
4.9 in
Wettest
June
71°F (21°C)
4.3 in
July
78°F (25°C)
4.2 in
Warmest
August
73°F (23°C)
4.0 in
September
66°F (19°C)
3.0 in
October
55°F (13°C)
3.2 in
November
44°F (7°C)
3.8 in
December
34°F (1°C)
3.6 in
Cross Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 33°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.9") and February the driest (2.9").