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Weather & Climate in Morehead, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Morehead experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°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 41. The city sits at an elevation of 879 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 879 ft (268 m) |
| Area | 9.7 sq mi (25.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 715/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.1900°N, 83.4491°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rowan County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greater Portsmouth Regional (PMH) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 50.1 / 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 | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
35 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 | 122 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 140 km | 1 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 148 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 103 km | 10 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 127 km | 8 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 28 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 126 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 148 km | 1 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 111 km | 26 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 73 km | 27 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 124 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 72 km | 0 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 113 km | 30 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 132 km | 13 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 145 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Cumberland, Kentucky | M2.7 | 142 km | 3 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 121 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 107 km | 17 km |
| May 11, 2015 | 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky | M2.6 | 52 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
205 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 30 fatalities, 820 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF5 | 80 km | 34.0 mi | 7 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 96 km | 78.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 57 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 35 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 95 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 53 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 44 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 87 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 71 km | 15.5 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF3 | 51 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 73 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 69 km | 11.1 mi | 1 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 36 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Feb 6, 2008 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.5 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 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 93 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 73 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 65 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 88 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 90 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 13,124 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 58 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 10,183 | 91 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 10,148 | 99 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 8,287 | 76 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,123 | 95 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 8,047 | 94 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 7,281 | 55 km |
| 1987 | MILL CREEK ROAD | 7,029 | 90 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 6,628 | 97 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 81 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,337 | 45 km |
| 1987 | LOCUST GAP | 6,014 | 89 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 5,981 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 5.2 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in |
Morehead has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.2") and January the driest (3.0").