Weather & Climate in Payne Gap, KY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Payne Gap experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°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 50.6 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 1,879 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	53.9°F
	0% below US avg
January Average	34°F (1°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	299 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,879 ft (573 m)
Area	2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density	94/sq mi
Coordinates	37.1477°N, 82.6711°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Letcher County County
Nearest Airport	West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 103 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.6"

33% above US avg

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.65"

Driest Month (Oct) 3.15"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	66.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	86.3 / 100
Community Resilience	10.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Relatively Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

65 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	34 km	17 km
Aug 17, 1990	9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky	M4.0	68 km	1 km
Jul 30, 1997	6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.8	105 km	23 km
Jan 20, 2020	2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee	M3.8	145 km	35 km
Sep 17, 2004	8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky	M3.7	121 km	1 km
Feb 12, 1994	10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia	M3.4	71 km	5 km
Jun 26, 1995	6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia	M3.4	115 km	2 km
Mar 5, 2019	7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee	M3.4	134 km	17 km
Jul 26, 2001	11 km S of New Market, Tennessee	M3.2	150 km	17 km
Jan 27, 2009	4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky	M3.2	136 km	26 km
Nov 8, 1990	5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky	M3.2	32 km	0 km
Jan 17, 1999	7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky	M3.1	104 km	1 km
Apr 29, 2018	10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee	M3.1	114 km	21 km
Jul 7, 1995	3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee	M3.0	104 km	10 km
Apr 13, 2001	11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee	M3.0	91 km	0 km
Jul 17, 2019	7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee	M3.0	121 km	13 km
Apr 5, 2005	1 km SE of Blaine, Tennessee	M2.9	144 km	10 km
Aug 14, 2009	4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia	M2.9	51 km	16 km
Aug 25, 2013	3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina	M2.9	142 km	9 km
May 20, 2023	Kentucky-Tennessee border region	M2.8	128 km	17 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

87 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 fatalities, 130 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Mar 2, 2012	EF3	81 km	49.0 mi	2
Apr 27, 2011	EF3	85 km	19.6 mi	3
Apr 4, 1974	EF3	75 km	8.4 mi	1
Apr 27, 2011	EF2	95 km	8.8 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	68 km	1.1 mi	0
May 8, 2009	EF2	14 km	1.7 mi	0
May 18, 1995	EF2	68 km	24.0 mi	0
Jul 6, 1980	EF2	82 km	11.5 mi	0
Jan 25, 1975	EF2	90 km	3.2 mi	0
Sep 29, 1972	EF2	90 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1962	EF2	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 8, 1957	EF2	97 km	3.0 mi	0
Mar 5, 1955	EF2	77 km	4.3 mi	0
Sep 24, 2024	EF1	79 km	6.0 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	70 km	0.7 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	59 km	0.2 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	53 km	0.6 mi	0
May 16, 2023	EF1	51 km	0.6 mi	0
Oct 7, 2014	EF1	52 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 27, 2014	EF1	77 km	0.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	UNNAMED	66,345	34 km
1987	UNNAMED	66,145	71 km
1987	BRUSHY	61,231	97 km
1987	UNNAMED	41,794	70 km
1987	UNNAMED	38,312	72 km
1987	UNNAMED	32,565	47 km
1991	JENNINGS CREEK	29,308	86 km
1987	UNNAMED	27,317	77 km
1991	UNNAMED	22,282	55 km
1987	UNNAMED	21,562	83 km
1987	UNNAMED	20,994	74 km
1991	TUG RIVER	20,813	72 km
2001	UNNAMED	18,013	58 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,759	45 km
1991	UNNAMED	17,406	23 km
1999	UNNAMED	17,328	22 km
1994	UNNAMED	15,526	18 km
1991	HUFF CREEK	15,190	100 km
1987	UNNAMED	15,138	44 km
1987	UNNAMED	14,554	93 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	34°F (1°C)	3.5 in	Coldest
February	35°F (2°C)	3.6 in
March	43°F (6°C)	4.2 in
April	52°F (11°C)	3.9 in
May	60°F (16°C)	4.6 in
June	68°F (20°C)	4.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	4.7 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	71°F (21°C)	3.9 in
September	65°F (18°C)	3.6 in
October	54°F (12°C)	3.2 in	Driest
November	45°F (7°C)	3.7 in
December	36°F (2°C)	3.6 in

Payne Gap has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (3.2").

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