Weather & Climate in Fort Knox, KY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Fort Knox enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 299 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 54.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 4.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 713 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.5°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	33°F (1°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	713 ft (217 m)
Area	20.3 sq mi (52.6 km²)
Population Density	430/sq mi
Coordinates	37.8916°N, 85.9672°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Hardin County County
Nearest Airport	Louisville Muhammad Ali International (SDF) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.4"

43% above US avg

Snowfall 4.5"

Wettest Month (Mar) 4.61"

Driest Month (Oct) 2.60"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	75.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	33.8 / 100
Community Resilience	56.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

25 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.

Dec 7, 2000	7 km W of Evansville, Indiana	M3.9	147 km	5 km
Jan 24, 1990	6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana	M3.9	54 km	10 km
Jan 27, 1990	6 km N of Alton, Indiana	M3.8	52 km	5 km
May 30, 2023	6 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky	M3.0	126 km	0 km
Nov 28, 1998	6 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky	M2.9	131 km	0 km
Aug 20, 2015	6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky	M2.8	100 km	34 km
Jan 28, 1991	9 km SW of Sacramento, Kentucky	M2.8	134 km	1 km
May 11, 2025	11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky	M2.8	120 km	30 km
Aug 15, 2001	5 km SSE of Spottsville, Kentucky	M2.7	126 km	19 km
Mar 6, 2000	0 km E of Darmstadt, Indiana	M2.7	142 km	5 km
Mar 9, 1990	8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana	M2.7	34 km	5 km
Mar 21, 1990	1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky	M2.7	39 km	4 km
Jan 12, 2023	4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky	M2.6	111 km	35 km
Aug 4, 2023	11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky	M2.6	134 km	17 km
Feb 27, 2020	5 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky	M2.6	130 km	27 km
Sep 12, 2015	5 km SE of Corydon, Kentucky	M2.6	150 km	17 km
Aug 26, 2000	6 km N of Boonville, Indiana	M2.6	117 km	5 km
Jan 8, 1995	Kentucky	M2.6	131 km	30 km
Mar 22, 1990	9 km E of Rochester, Kentucky	M2.6	106 km	5 km
Jan 29, 1990	11 km S of Paoli, Indiana	M2.6	76 km	0 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

474 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 92 fatalities, 1,527 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	71 km	68.0 mi	6
Apr 3, 1974	EF5	53 km	32.0 mi	31
Mar 2, 2012	EF4	63 km	45.1 mi	11
May 28, 1996	EF4	35 km	30.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	76 km	35.6 mi	11
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	87 km	20.2 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	39 km	18.5 mi	3
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	81 km	79.4 mi	4
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	75 km	14.0 mi	0
Apr 3, 1974	EF4	20 km	37.9 mi	3
Apr 27, 1971	EF4	94 km	14.1 mi	6
Dec 11, 2021	EF3	72 km	14.5 mi	1
Feb 28, 2011	EF3	87 km	2.3 mi	0
Oct 18, 2007	EF3	74 km	4.8 mi	0
May 30, 2004	EF3	72 km	15.0 mi	1
May 23, 2000	EF3	50 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 16, 1998	EF3	98 km	20.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1997	EF3	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 28, 1997	EF3	58 km	9.0 mi	1
Jun 2, 1990	EF3	53 km	12.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FLOATING MILL HOLLOW (2,422 acres, 2010).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2010	FLOATING MILL HOLLOW	2,422	77 km
2008	BROOKS KNOB	2,225	80 km
2012	FY2012 CRYSTAL CAVE BROADCAST BURN	2,221	76 km
2010	JOPPA CHURCH	2,037	81 km
2004	JIM LEE	1,770	82 km
2009	TEMPLE HILL	1,628	79 km
2009	JIM LEE	1,613	82 km
2007	Big Woods	1,500	73 km
2008	GOBLIN KNOB	1,445	74 km
2017	UNNAMED	1,336	55 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,057	53 km
2021	UNNAMED	959	54 km
2014	UNNAMED	910	53 km
2019	UNNAMED	892	53 km
2024	LONG RUN RX	774	58 km
2010	RICEVILLE RX	671	77 km
2007	DENNISON FERRY RX	655	76 km
2000	UNNAMED	641	71 km
2019	UNNAMED	584	58 km
2010	ROCKHOUSE HOLLOW RX	581	56 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (1°C)	3.5 in	Coldest
February	37°F (3°C)	3.6 in
March	46°F (8°C)	4.6 in	Wettest
April	56°F (13°C)	4.2 in
May	64°F (18°C)	4.4 in
June	72°F (22°C)	4.0 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.6 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	3.6 in
September	68°F (20°C)	3.3 in
October	57°F (14°C)	2.6 in	Driest
November	47°F (8°C)	3.7 in
December	37°F (3°C)	4.1 in

Fort Knox has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.2 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (2.6").

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