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Weather & Climate in Harlan, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Harlan enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 75°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 52.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,310 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.9°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,310 ft (399 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,694/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8413°N, 83.3195°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Harlan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
106 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 | 41 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 12 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 78 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 42 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 62 km | 1 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 139 km | 11 km |
| Jun 16, 2006 | 9 km W of Maggie Valley, North Carolina | M3.4 | 148 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 71 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 138 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 139 km | 14 km |
| Jun 4, 2023 | 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina | M3.2 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 39 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 99 km | 14 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 73 km | 26 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 96 km | 17 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 43 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 61 km | 21 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 104 km | 7 km |
| Sep 24, 1991 | 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 146 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
132 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 24 fatalities, 334 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 72 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 96 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 99 km | 13.6 mi | 2 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 47 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 75 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 88 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 43 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 83 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2001 | EF2 | 75 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 80 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 60 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1984 | EF2 | 75 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 30 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1977 | EF2 | 90 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 18, 1976 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF2 | 73 km | 19.8 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 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 69 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 65 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 78 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 70 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 70 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 79 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 26 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 13,124 | 95 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 45 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 89 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 93 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 90 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 71 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 85 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 93 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 18 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 8,287 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 8,143 | 76 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,123 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Harlan has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 36°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.3").