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Weather & Climate in Hico, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hico experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 293 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 48.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,053 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 53.7°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,053 ft (626 m) |
| Area | 5.0 sq mi (13.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 19/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1166°N, 81.0107°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Fayette County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 53.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
46 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 73 km | 15 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 142 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 54 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 61 km | 8 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 77 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 49 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 131 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 31 km | 7 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 120 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 130 km | 11 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 51 km | 0 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 81 km | 13 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 99 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 95 km | 4 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 62 km | 0 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 87 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
56 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 55 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 35 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 55 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 78 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 4 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 72 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 19 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 69 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 60 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 20 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 97 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 76 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 58 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 46 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2019 | EF1 | 69 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2016 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 48 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYFORD MOUNTAIN (31,509 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 35 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 62 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 46 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 54 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 82 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 66 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 66 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 13 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 30 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 83 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 48 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 51 km |
| 1991 | CANE ROCK | 9,017 | 92 km |
| 1991 | CANEBRAKE | 8,152 | 93 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 39 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 10 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 98 km |
| 1991 | MUD LICK CREEK | 7,111 | 100 km |
| 1991 | PEACHTREE | 6,635 | 54 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 23 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in |
Hico has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 33°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.1") and February the driest (3.0").