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Weather & Climate in Fort Gay, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Gay enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 76°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 45.1 inches. The area receives 19.8 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 707 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 56.5°F |
| 5% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 707 ft (215 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 553/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1222°N, 82.5913°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greater Portsmouth Regional (PMH) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 53.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 12.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
36 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 | 117 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 150 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 135 km | 10 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 90 km | 8 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 103 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 119 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 89 km | 26 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 111 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 72 km | 27 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 119 km | 11 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 129 km | 0 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 116 km | 9 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Cumberland, Kentucky | M2.7 | 136 km | 3 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 105 km | 17 km |
| May 11, 2015 | 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky | M2.6 | 110 km | 11 km |
| Feb 11, 2015 | 8 km SE of Richmond Dale, Ohio | M2.6 | 115 km | 20 km |
| Jul 23, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky | M2.6 | 135 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
114 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 19 fatalities, 283 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF5 | 67 km | 34.0 mi | 7 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 93 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 76 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 28 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 23 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 76 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 4 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 74 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2002 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2000 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1982 | EF2 | 82 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1980 | EF2 | 74 km | 29.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 47 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF2 | 81 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 54 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 39 km | 1.1 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 | 76 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 46 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 69 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 38 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 78 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 35 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 51 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 76 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 27 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 47 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 66 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 96 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 78 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 91 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 92 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 91 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 91 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 85 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.6 in |
Fort Gay has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 35°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (2.9").