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Weather & Climate in Owensboro, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Owensboro enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 305 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 45.6 inches. The area receives 4.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 417 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.2°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 417 ft (127 m) |
| Area | 20.4 sq mi (52.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,822/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7571°N, 87.1167°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Daviess County County |
| Nearest Airport | Owensboro/Daviess County Regional (OWB) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 46.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very 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: M5.2.
| Apr 18, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M5.2 | 102 km | 14 km |
| Apr 18, 2008 | 9 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.7 | 102 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2002 | 6 km SW of Parkers Settlement, Indiana | M4.6 | 62 km | 16 km |
| Apr 21, 2008 | 7 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M4.0 | 102 km | 18 km |
| Dec 7, 2000 | 7 km W of Evansville, Indiana | M3.9 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 1990 | 6 km WNW of Alton, Indiana | M3.9 | 70 km | 10 km |
| Nov 11, 1991 | 3 km W of Flat Rock, Illinois | M3.8 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Sep 19, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.8 | 102 km | 12 km |
| Apr 25, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.7 | 102 km | 13 km |
| Nov 20, 2012 | 7 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.6 | 104 km | 19 km |
| Jan 2, 2006 | 3 km NNE of Eldorado, Illinois | M3.6 | 115 km | 7 km |
| May 30, 2015 | 4 km ENE of Geff, Illinois | M3.4 | 134 km | 26 km |
| Jun 5, 2008 | 8 km WNW of Mount Carmel, Illinois | M3.4 | 100 km | 16 km |
| May 1, 2008 | 8 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.3 | 101 km | 14 km |
| May 2, 2003 | 10 km ENE of Thompsonville, Illinois | M3.2 | 138 km | 0 km |
| May 10, 2012 | 0 km NW of Emison, Indiana | M3.1 | 121 km | 11 km |
| Jul 18, 2008 | 6 km NNE of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.1 | 102 km | 18 km |
| Sep 9, 2017 | 4 km N of Bellmont, Illinois | M3.1 | 102 km | 12 km |
| May 30, 2023 | 6 km W of Calhoun, Kentucky | M3.0 | 31 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
478 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 85 fatalities, 1,038 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 52 km | 32.0 mi | 31 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 47 km | 68.0 mi | 6 |
| Nov 15, 2005 | EF4 | 67 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 85 km | 13.0 mi | 6 |
| Jan 7, 1989 | EF4 | 99 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 61 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2024 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2017 | EF3 | 97 km | 44.1 mi | 1 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 73 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 17, 2013 | EF3 | 75 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 10, 2009 | EF3 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 2009 | EF3 | 61 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 5, 2008 | EF3 | 67 km | 18.1 mi | 3 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 5 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 59 km | 41.3 mi | 24 |
| Nov 6, 2005 | EF3 | 90 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2004 | EF3 | 80 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| May 11, 2003 | EF3 | 40 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 79 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2000 | EF3 | 76 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TEMPLE HILL (1,628 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | TEMPLE HILL | 1,628 | 100 km |
| 2007 | DEAD DEER | 1,557 | 54 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,336 | 59 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,057 | 60 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,039 | 56 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 959 | 61 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 910 | 70 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 892 | 70 km |
| 2024 | LONG RUN RX | 774 | 57 km |
| 2010 | RICEVILLE RX | 671 | 74 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 641 | 87 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 584 | 57 km |
| 2010 | ROCKHOUSE HOLLOW RX | 581 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 56°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.7 in | |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.0 in |
Owensboro has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 34°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with April being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.2").