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Weather & Climate in Institute, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Institute experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 297 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 39. The city sits at an elevation of 608 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.4°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 608 ft (185 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,464/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.3795°N, 81.7656°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Putnam County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 74.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
50 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 | 145 km | 15 km |
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 124 km | 8 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 74 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 78 km | 0 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 137 km | 18 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 93 km | 26 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 41 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 108 km | 27 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 79 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 90 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 133 km | 11 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 121 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
96 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 9 fatalities, 179 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF5 | 97 km | 34.0 mi | 7 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF3 | 87 km | 9.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 77 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 7 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 74 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2003 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2002 | EF2 | 75 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2000 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 1998 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1967 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 70 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 19 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 5 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY (61,231 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 61 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 91 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 94 km |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 53 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 75 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 81 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 28 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 59 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 98 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 89 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 52 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 75 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 35 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 14,554 | 69 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 69 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,264 | 95 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 60 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 75 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 47 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 11,117 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.1 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.4 in |
Institute has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 32°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (2.8").