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Weather & Climate in Hyden, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Hyden enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 76°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 51.5 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 1,318 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 56.0°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,318 ft (402 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 342/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1568°N, 83.3758°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Leslie County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 69 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 31.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 78.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.4 / 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 Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
79 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 | 29 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 25 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 73 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 99 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 61 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 101 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 121 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 80 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 31 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 130 km | 17 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 133 km | 14 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 96 km | 21 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 48 km | 1 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 70 km | 0 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 89 km | 13 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 100 km | 16 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 116 km | 10 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 100 km | 12 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
134 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 29 fatalities, 413 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 86 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 61 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 70 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 70 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 74 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 80 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 80 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2001 | EF2 | 63 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1996 | EF2 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 66 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 25 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1984 | EF2 | 63 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 65 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1978 | EF2 | 89 km | 5.2 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 | 65 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 34 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 100 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 81 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 33 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 52 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 54 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 54 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 66 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 43 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 13,124 | 68 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 44 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 10,990 | 78 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 58 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 92 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,572 | 76 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 9,384 | 91 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 84 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 22 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 8,287 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Hyden has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 34°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.3").