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Weather & Climate in McKee, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McKee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 75°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 51.3 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 1,054 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,054 ft (321 m) |
| Area | 2.4 sq mi (6.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 336/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4302°N, 83.9856°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Owsley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
57 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 | 89 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 77 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 109 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 111 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 55 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 128 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 87 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 74 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 62 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 137 km | 21 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 116 km | 0 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 119 km | 13 km |
| Apr 5, 2005 | 1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.9 | 145 km | 10 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 107 km | 12 km |
| May 20, 2023 | Kentucky-Tennessee border region | M2.8 | 118 km | 17 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 98 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Dec 15, 1995 | Kentucky-Tennessee border region | M2.8 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 2017 | 3 km S of Blaine, Tennessee | M2.8 | 147 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 fatalities, 696 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 56 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 62 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 70 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 49 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 87 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 95 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 62 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 91 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 83 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 58 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 96 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 83 km | 23.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 30 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Mar 4, 1955 | EF3 | 52 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 33 km | 7.2 mi | 6 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 73 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,145 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 55 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 67 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 91 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 55 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 66 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 71 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 8,287 | 99 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,123 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,099 | 77 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,047 | 87 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,907 | 73 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 28 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 51 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 7,281 | 87 km |
| 2016 | LITTLE SHEPHERD TRAIL | 6,751 | 94 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 6,628 | 69 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 88 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 35 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,337 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
McKee has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 34°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.0 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.0").