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Weather & Climate in Pickens, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pickens experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 69°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 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,924 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 49.7°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 297 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,924 ft (891 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 7/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6559°N, 80.2160°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Upshur County County |
| Nearest Airport | Shenandoah Valley Regional (SHD) 76 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 65.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 44.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Apr 22, 1991 | 14 km ESE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M3.5 | 79 km | 15 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 61 km | 0 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 54 km | 8 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 143 km | 4 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 60 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 63 km | 13 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 56 km | 0 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 64 km | 21 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 115 km | 17 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 82 km | 13 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia | M2.6 | 100 km | 16 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 13 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.6 | 66 km | 6 km |
| Nov 15, 1995 | 5 km ENE of Shady Spring, West Virginia | M2.6 | 127 km | 33 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
48 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 28 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 94 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 4, 1990 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 100 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 71 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 60 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 50 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2015 | EF1 | 22 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 52 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 98 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 81 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1998 | EF1 | 77 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1996 | EF1 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICH HOLE (15,923 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 99 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 97 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 97 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 86 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 94 km |
| 2014 | ARCHER KNOB RX | 6,093 | 94 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 5,893 | 94 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 5,345 | 85 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 5,149 | 85 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 4,687 | 93 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 85 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 4,022 | 93 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 68 km |
| 1991 | BLUE CREEK | 3,268 | 96 km |
| 1999 | GAULEY MT2 | 3,223 | 98 km |
| 1999 | KUNS BRANCH | 2,475 | 95 km |
| 2018 | LOCKRIDGE RX | 2,473 | 61 km |
| 2024 | RAMSHORN-GUINN RIDGES RX | 2,469 | 51 km |
| 2010 | NORTH SHORT MTN | 2,304 | 95 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.1 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 47°F (9°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 5.3 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.8 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 5.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | Driest |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 4.8 in |
Pickens has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 28°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.9") and October the driest (3.9").