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Weather & Climate in Monticello, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Monticello enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 36°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 52.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 961 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 56.4°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 961 ft (293 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 943/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.8411°N, 84.8513°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wayne County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 54.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 90.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 22.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
103 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 87 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 122 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 76 km | 1 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 108 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 125 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 117 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 146 km | 2 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 135 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 146 km | 18 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 149 km | 17 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 65 km | 26 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 143 km | 7 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 144 km | 21 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 94 km | 1 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 139 km | 0 km |
| Nov 10, 1992 | 4 km ESE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Sep 24, 1991 | 6 km NE of Greenback, Tennessee | M3.0 | 143 km | 13 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 119 km | 13 km |
| Jul 11, 1990 | 1 km NW of Alcoa, Tennessee | M2.9 | 139 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
299 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 70 fatalities, 1,139 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 51 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 41 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 24 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 69 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 69 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 33 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 63 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 81 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 88 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 96 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 45 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 60 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 77 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1986 | EF3 | 46 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 45 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 20 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 11 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 68 km | 12.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (11,817 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 94 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 80 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 73 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 88 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 79 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 81 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 52 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 90 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 70 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 85 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 57 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,400 | 77 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 97 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,194 | 81 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,940 | 37 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,907 | 78 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,854 | 70 km |
| 2009 | GOBBLERS KNOB B | 3,851 | 32 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,571 | 43 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,258 | 50 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 4.8 in |
Monticello has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 36°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.1").