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Weather & Climate in Kanawha, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kanawha 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 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 42.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. 78% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 621 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.3°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 621 ft (189 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 148/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2041°N, 81.4578°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wood County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Ohio Valley Regional (PKB) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 77.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 88.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
42 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 70 km | 8 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 82 km | 0 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 81 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 80 km | 8 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 102 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 34 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio | M3.1 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M3.1 | 75 km | 6 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 54 km | 4 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 109 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 139 km | 27 km |
| May 9, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.9 | 74 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 1 km SE of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.8 | 77 km | 2 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 20 km | 10 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 62 km | 13 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 86 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
116 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 67 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF3 | 29 km | 9.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2024 | EF2 | 73 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF2 | 72 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2003 | EF2 | 17 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2002 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2000 | EF2 | 96 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1998 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jan 8, 1998 | EF2 | 4 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 10, 1986 | EF2 | 91 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 28, 1981 | EF2 | 28 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1978 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1973 | EF2 | 100 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF2 | 42 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1968 | EF2 | 89 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1967 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1965 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2024 | EF1 | 10 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLUE CREEK (3,268 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | BLUE CREEK | 3,268 | 98 km |
| 1991 | EIGHTMILE FORK | 3,263 | 96 km |
| 1999 | KUNS BRANCH | 2,475 | 97 km |
| 1991 | JIMS FORK | 1,419 | 99 km |
| 1999 | TOMPLER FORK | 1,174 | 98 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 37-38 | 1,050 | 66 km |
| 2021 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 1-12 | 1,037 | 70 km |
| 1999 | CAMPBELLS CK | 991 | 97 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 11-19 | 936 | 70 km |
| 1994 | LEATHERWOOD CREEK | 864 | 99 km |
| 1991 | RATTLESNAKE BRANCH | 788 | 95 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 24 | 709 | 64 km |
| 1999 | SINNET FORK | 681 | 93 km |
| 1988 | JIMS FORK | 585 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 in |
Kanawha has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 32°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (2.8").