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Weather & Climate in Gary, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gary experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 305 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 44.6 inches. The area receives 17.6 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 1,431 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 53.4°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,431 ft (436 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,021/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3632°N, 81.5357°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | McDowell County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 70 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 76.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 96.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 4.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
47 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 | 137 km | 17 km |
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 134 km | 15 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 68 km | 2 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 75 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 80 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 99 km | 16 km |
| Aug 25, 2013 | 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina | M2.9 | 134 km | 9 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 75 km | 9 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 39 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 67 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 64 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 62 km | 4 km |
| Jul 6, 2023 | 5 km S of Hillsville, Virginia | M2.7 | 102 km | 0 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 |
| 1989 | Hugo | Category 1 | — | 299 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
66 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 119 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 87 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 67 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 41 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 67 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 93 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 40 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 2011 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 100 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 99 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 77 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 98 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 2022 | EF1 | 96 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY (61,231 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 81 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 60 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 69 km |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 73 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 91 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 76 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 87 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 61 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 56 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 62 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 64 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 99 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 44 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 80 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 14,554 | 92 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 46 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,264 | 86 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 96 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in |
Gary has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.2").