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Weather & Climate in Franklin, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Franklin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 302 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 38.5 inches. The area receives 26.7 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 1,804 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,804 ft (550 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 691/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6453°N, 79.3333°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pendleton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 25.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
41 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.8.
| Aug 23, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M5.8 | 147 km | 6 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 8 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.5 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 11 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M4.2 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 109 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Sep 1, 2011 | 7 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M3.4 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Sep 22, 2001 | 5 km E of Pantops, Virginia | M3.2 | 107 km | 0 km |
| Jan 30, 2012 | 9 km SSE of Louisa, Virginia | M3.1 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Oct 12, 2011 | 9 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 142 km | 4 km |
| Mar 26, 2012 | 13 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M3.0 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 85 km | 2 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 136 km | 0 km |
| Mar 15, 2015 | 6 km SW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Aug 23, 2011 | 9 km SSW of Mineral, Virginia | M2.8 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Feb 19, 2012 | 12 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 143 km | 3 km |
| Nov 25, 2009 | 14 km S of Arrington, Virginia | M2.7 | 127 km | 0 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 138 km | 21 km |
| Aug 29, 2011 | 10 km S of Louisa, Virginia | M2.7 | 142 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 260 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
76 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 15 fatalities, 54 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 25, 1985 | EF3 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 92 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 91 km | 0.8 mi | 11 |
| Sep 30, 1959 | EF3 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 32 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 58 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 85 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 61 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 95 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1976 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 29, 1963 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1960 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF2 | 61 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF2 | 65 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2022 | EF1 | 69 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PINNACLES (24,792 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | PINNACLES | 24,792 | 89 km |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 90 km |
| 2016 | ROCKY MTN FIRE 2016 | 9,299 | 69 km |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 66 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 88 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 58 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 58 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 77 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 22 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 22 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 24 km |
| 2002 | FULTZ RUN | 4,638 | 70 km |
| 2008 | ST MARYS | 4,373 | 84 km |
| 1999 | SHOP RUN | 4,261 | 72 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 87 km |
| 1986 | BIG RUN | 4,161 | 69 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 24 km |
| 2012 | SHIPWRECK | 3,779 | 60 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,667 | 59 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 3.0 in |
Franklin has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (2.7").