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Weather & Climate in Phelps, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Phelps enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 36°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 48.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.1 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 1,013 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
78°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 57.7°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,013 ft (309 m) |
| Area | 8.0 sq mi (20.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 48/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5091°N, 82.1606°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pike County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 67 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 79.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
44 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 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 104 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 129 km | 18 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 89 km | 0 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 126 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 117 km | 10 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 150 km | 27 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 85 km | 16 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 132 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 41 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 124 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 122 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 119 km | 4 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 114 km | 13 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 148 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Cumberland, Kentucky | M2.7 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 102 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
61 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 105 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 97 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 78 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jan 25, 1975 | EF2 | 88 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 92 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 83 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2019 | EF1 | 94 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 84 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF1 | 71 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 94 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2011 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.4 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 | 52 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 45 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 12 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 44 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 14 km |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 88 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 44 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 28 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 80 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 76 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 8 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 64 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 74 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 15 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 94 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 70 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 61 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 60 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 69 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 78°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 in |
Phelps has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 36°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (3.2").