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Weather & Climate in Highland Heights, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highland Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°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 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 845 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 845 ft (258 m) |
| Area | 2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,493/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.0355°N, 84.4566°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hamilton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 86.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very High |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 121 km | 2 km |
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 111 km | 0 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 137 km | 27 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 120 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 62 km | 0 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 143 km | 30 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 144 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 144 km | 35 km |
| May 11, 2015 | 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky | M2.6 | 81 km | 11 km |
| Jul 23, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky | M2.6 | 57 km | 4 km |
| Feb 11, 2015 | 8 km SE of Richmond Dale, Ohio | M2.6 | 149 km | 20 km |
| Jan 21, 2018 | 8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.6 | 143 km | 11 km |
| Jan 28, 2024 | 3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky | M2.5 | 73 km | 15 km |
| Jan 4, 1999 | 9 km WNW of Mount Sterling, Kentucky | M2.5 | 112 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
461 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 76 fatalities, 2,960 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 37 km | 20.8 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 75 km | 31.3 mi | 36 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF4 | 88 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 31 km | 9.9 mi | 4 |
| Sep 20, 2000 | EF4 | 80 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | EF4 | 23 km | 10.0 mi | 4 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 72 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 45 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 16 km | 19.8 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 76 km | 27.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 18 km | 24.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 41 km | 78.7 mi | 6 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF3 | 87 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 2014 | EF3 | 89 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 82 km | 8.7 mi | 3 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 24 km | 20.4 mi | 3 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 79 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | EF3 | 85 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | EF3 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | JPG 09 1 | 6,113 | 85 km |
| 2005 | RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 | 5,054 | 84 km |
| 2007 | UNITS 8-9 2008 | 4,316 | 86 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 19 06 WUI | 3,412 | 86 km |
| 2003 | WUI 3 03 | 3,372 | 85 km |
| 2010 | WUI UNIT 28K | 3,230 | 84 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,122 | 86 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 8 | 2,753 | 87 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 3 05 | 2,511 | 86 km |
| 2001 | 01 UNIT 16 | 2,361 | 83 km |
| 2011 | WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 | 2,215 | 87 km |
| 2004 | UNIT 19 | 2,004 | 87 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 03 | 1,971 | 87 km |
| 2008 | FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 | 1,942 | 86 km |
| 2000 | JPG 14 | 1,908 | 85 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 16 03 | 1,809 | 83 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 9 | 1,485 | 85 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,462 | 86 km |
| 2010 | TRACER | 1,408 | 84 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 in |
Highland Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (2.7").