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Weather & Climate in Horse Cave, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Horse Cave enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F (15°C). Winters average 38°F in January while summers reach 79°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 54.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 5.7 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 622 feet.
Temperature
38°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 59.5°F |
| 10% above US avg | |
| January Average | 38°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 622 ft (190 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (6.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 745/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1698°N, 85.9172°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hart County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bowling Green-Warren County Regional (BWG) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 41.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 75.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.9.
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2023 | 6 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky | M3.0 | 132 km | 0 km |
| Nov 28, 1998 | 6 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky | M2.9 | 120 km | 0 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 132 km | 34 km |
| Jan 28, 1991 | 9 km SW of Sacramento, Kentucky | M2.8 | 126 km | 1 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 133 km | 30 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Aug 15, 2001 | 5 km SSE of Spottsville, Kentucky | M2.7 | 149 km | 19 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 124 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 139 km | 17 km |
| Feb 27, 2020 | 5 km SW of Bremen, Kentucky | M2.6 | 120 km | 27 km |
| Mar 22, 1990 | 9 km E of Rochester, Kentucky | M2.6 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Dec 8, 1997 | 6 km NE of Murfreesboro, Tennessee | M2.6 | 148 km | 0 km |
| Jan 8, 1995 | Kentucky | M2.6 | 115 km | 30 km |
| Jan 21, 2018 | 8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.6 | 129 km | 11 km |
| May 30, 2023 | 7 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky | M2.5 | 132 km | 1 km |
| Mar 8, 1990 | 4 km SW of Oak Grove, Kentucky | M2.5 | 79 km | 5 km |
| May 2, 1998 | 6 km WNW of Nebo, Kentucky | M2.5 | 120 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
371 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 112 fatalities, 1,218 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 83 km | 32.0 mi | 31 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 76 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 64 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 40 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 61 km | 37.9 mi | 3 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 42 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 76 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 68 km | 29.3 mi | 16 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 51 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF3 | 61 km | 9.4 mi | 4 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 96 km | 50.3 mi | 22 |
| May 23, 2000 | EF3 | 52 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 82 km | 48.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 97 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 44 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 22 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 37 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1986 | EF3 | 62 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 1979 | EF3 | 22 km | 12.7 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FLOATING MILL HOLLOW (2,422 acres, 2010).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2010 | FLOATING MILL HOLLOW | 2,422 | 16 km |
| 2008 | BROOKS KNOB | 2,225 | 26 km |
| 2012 | FY2012 CRYSTAL CAVE BROADCAST BURN | 2,221 | 13 km |
| 2010 | JOPPA CHURCH | 2,037 | 19 km |
| 2004 | JIM LEE | 1,770 | 17 km |
| 2009 | TEMPLE HILL | 1,628 | 27 km |
| 2009 | JIM LEE | 1,613 | 17 km |
| 2007 | DEAD DEER | 1,557 | 93 km |
| 2007 | Big Woods | 1,500 | 14 km |
| 2008 | GOBLIN KNOB | 1,445 | 17 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,083 | 64 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,039 | 89 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 848 | 51 km |
| 2007 | DENNISON FERRY RX | 655 | 12 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 641 | 38 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 576 | 13 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 3.7 in | |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 5.0 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 5.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.8 in |
Horse Cave has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 38°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.2") and October the driest (3.0").