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Weather & Climate in Elkhorn City, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elkhorn City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,690 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 53.5°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,690 ft (515 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 116/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3203°N, 82.3523°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pike County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 84 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Nov 10, 2012 | 6 km W of Blackey, Kentucky | M4.2 | 65 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 101 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 139 km | 23 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 66 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 100 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 147 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 65 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 137 km | 1 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 147 km | 21 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 125 km | 0 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 142 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 62 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 41 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 136 km | 20 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 130 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 92 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 83 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 65 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 33 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 55 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 91 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 95 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 79 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 78 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF1 | 94 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,345 | 37 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 91 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 68 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 38 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 53 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 16 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 62 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 49 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 21 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 71 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 72 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 40 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 78 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 56 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 40 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 39 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 96 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 27 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 66 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.4 in |
Elkhorn City has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (3.1").