Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elk Garden experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°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 41.4 inches. The area receives 33.5 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 2,262 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
52.5°F
3% below US avg
January Average
30°F (-1°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,262 ft (689 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density
750/sq mi
Coordinates
39.3862°N, 79.1556°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Garrett County County
Nearest Airport
Greater Cumberland Regional (CBE) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.4"
9% above US avg
Snowfall33.5"
Wettest Month (Jul)4.25"
Driest Month (Feb)2.56"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
16.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
48.4 / 100
Community Resilience
57.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.0.
Jan 17, 2016
3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia
M3.0
114 km
5 km
Apr 21, 1998
1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia
M2.8
144 km
2 km
Sep 11, 2024
4 km WNW of Claysville, Pennsylvania
M2.5
139 km
4 km
Aug 15, 2010
19 km ESE of Burnsville, West Virginia
M2.5
127 km
17 km
Aug 21, 2010
19 km WNW of Helvetia, West Virginia
M2.5
126 km
11 km
Jul 27, 1997
5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia
M2.5
147 km
19 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
145 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 103 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998
EF4
74 km
36.5 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
41 km
13.0 mi
1
Jun 3, 1980
EF3
66 km
29.8 mi
0
May 19, 1967
EF3
15 km
0.3 mi
1
Aug 25, 2023
EF2
69 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 2, 2018
EF2
87 km
1.6 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
83 km
33.5 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
97 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
88 km
5.0 mi
0
Apr 28, 2002
EF2
89 km
4.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1998
EF2
59 km
12.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1998
EF2
52 km
15.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1998
EF2
9 km
15.0 mi
0
Oct 1, 1986
EF2
78 km
4.5 mi
0
Jul 9, 1980
EF2
81 km
0.3 mi
0
Jun 20, 1977
EF2
35 km
8.5 mi
0
Aug 4, 1975
EF2
98 km
0.8 mi
0
Jul 13, 1971
EF2
72 km
16.0 mi
0
Aug 22, 1970
EF2
90 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 5, 1969
EF2
38 km
0.5 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: WATERFALL MOUNTAIN (9,251 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
WATERFALL MOUNTAIN
9,251
94 km
2024
WAITES RUN
5,496
62 km
2011
VALLEY
2,514
97 km
2019
UNNAMED
2,460
92 km
2024
CAPON
2,302
71 km
2001
NEW CREEK MTN
1,689
43 km
2024
DOVE HOLLOW
1,634
58 km
2020
UNNAMED
1,572
69 km
2013
SMOKE HOLE FIRE
1,436
60 km
2006
CARDINAL
1,345
94 km
2019
DRY HOLLOW
1,327
63 km
2024
GAULEY RIDGE RX
1,263
87 km
2012
POINT 2
1,126
90 km
2000
BRAKE RUN SHEN. MT. RD.
1,055
59 km
2011
COFFMAN/CHESTNUT RIDGE
1,048
92 km
2018
GATE MOUNTAIN
972
85 km
2014
BEAR DEN
945
66 km
2024
WEST BRIAR FIRE
935
97 km
2024
SERENITY RIDGE FIRE
877
92 km
2024
SPRING RUN
847
53 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
30°F (-1°C)
2.7 in
Coldest
February
31°F (-1°C)
2.6 in
Driest
March
39°F (4°C)
3.4 in
April
49°F (9°C)
3.5 in
May
58°F (15°C)
4.1 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.7 in
July
75°F (24°C)
4.3 in
Warmest, Wettest
August
69°F (20°C)
3.6 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.2 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.0 in
November
42°F (5°C)
3.1 in
December
33°F (0°C)
3.0 in
Elk Garden has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 30°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.6").