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Weather & Climate in Hickory, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hickory enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (15°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 318 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 430 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.2°F |
| 8% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 318 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 430 ft (131 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 60/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8174°N, 88.6479°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Graves County County |
| Nearest Airport | Barkley Regional (PAH) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
329 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Sep 26, 1990 | 4 km SE of Chaffee, Missouri | M4.8 | 93 km | 1 km |
| May 4, 1991 | 2 km NNW of Risco, Missouri | M4.5 | 108 km | 11 km |
| Feb 5, 1994 | 2 km WNW of Dongola, Illinois | M4.2 | 78 km | 16 km |
| Apr 30, 2003 | 1 km N of Blytheville, Arkansas | M4.0 | 149 km | 24 km |
| Jun 6, 2003 | 1 km NE of Bardwell, Kentucky | M4.0 | 32 km | 3 km |
| Jun 2, 2005 | 12 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M4.0 | 105 km | 15 km |
| Feb 21, 2012 | 4 km SSE of Bertrand, Missouri | M3.9 | 69 km | 8 km |
| May 16, 2024 | 6 km S of Ridgely, Tennessee | M3.8 | 101 km | 8 km |
| Mar 2, 2010 | 2 km ENE of East Prairie, Missouri | M3.7 | 63 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2019 | 12 km NNW of Dyersburg, Tennessee | M3.7 | 104 km | 14 km |
| Jan 16, 2018 | 4 km SW of Caruthersville, Missouri | M3.6 | 118 km | 9 km |
| Apr 2, 2015 | 1 km WNW of Cooter, Missouri | M3.6 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jun 20, 2005 | 4 km WSW of Blandville, Kentucky | M3.6 | 34 km | 19 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 116 km | 7 km |
| Mar 15, 2017 | 9 km ESE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.6 | 43 km | 8 km |
| Jul 16, 2004 | 6 km SE of Wyatt, Missouri | M3.5 | 47 km | 4 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 3 km S of Canalou, Missouri | M3.5 | 93 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2016 | 5 km SE of New Grand Chain, Illinois | M3.5 | 53 km | 16 km |
| Sep 9, 2016 | 9 km NW of Tiptonville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Aug 29, 1990 | 9 km WSW of Central, Tennessee | M3.4 | 145 km | 15 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
545 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 111 fatalities, 1,436 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF4 | 57 km | 168.5 mi | 57 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF4 | 98 km | 26.1 mi | 8 |
| May 6, 2003 | EF4 | 61 km | 33.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1997 | EF4 | 92 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1971 | EF4 | 84 km | 50.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1968 | EF4 | 37 km | 50.6 mi | 2 |
| Mar 4, 1964 | EF4 | 22 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Mar 21, 1952 | EF4 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 4 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 96 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 91 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF3 | 61 km | 34.1 mi | 1 |
| Dec 10, 2021 | EF3 | 95 km | 122.6 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2016 | EF3 | 12 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 37 km | 42.5 mi | 3 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 99 km | 14.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 2006 | EF3 | 45 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 80 km | 8.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 90 km | 31.0 mi | 6 |
| Apr 2, 2006 | EF3 | 91 km | 29.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF3 | 15 km | 44.0 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DEVILS BACKBONE RX (3,215 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | DEVILS BACKBONE RX | 3,215 | 70 km |
| 2010 | FRANKLIN CREEK RX | 2,828 | 52 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,286 | 67 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,282 | 51 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,837 | 63 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,627 | 89 km |
| 2019 | ATWOOD RIDGE RX | 1,622 | 89 km |
| 2021 | GAP VIEW RX | 1,575 | 82 km |
| 2022 | DENNISON HOLLOW RX | 1,573 | 95 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,510 | 76 km |
| 2022 | ONE HORSE GAP RX | 1,502 | 79 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 1,493 | 55 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 1,447 | 94 km |
| 2021 | BEATTY BRANCH RX | 1,396 | 69 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 77 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,299 | 79 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,257 | 85 km |
| 2021 | OZARK HILL PRAIRIE RX | 1,235 | 85 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,216 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 4.4 in | |
| March | 48°F (9°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 5.0 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 5.0 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 5.1 in |
Hickory has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 36°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.7 inches, with March being the wettest month (5.2") and October the driest (3.5").