Weather & Climate in Pikeville, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pikeville experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 1.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 85% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,053 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 53.5°F |
| 1% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,053 ft (321 m) |
| Area | 21.1 sq mi (54.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 364/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.4769°N, 82.5288°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Pike County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 80 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 84.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
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
37 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 | 60 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 97 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 140 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 144 km | 1 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 123 km | 2 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 61 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 130 km | 1 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 128 km | 0 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 141 km | 27 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 81 km | 16 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 63 km | 11 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 85 km | 13 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 135 km | 3 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 118 km | 26 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 60 km | 9 km |
| Aug 30, 2010 | 7 km ENE of Mountain City, Tennessee | M2.7 | 131 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
65 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 76 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 70 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 88 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 100 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 86 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 46 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 76 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 74 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF1 | 81 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 4, 2011 | EF1 | 14 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF1 | 80 km | 0.3 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 | 19 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 74 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 59 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 38 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 34 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 19 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 48 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 40 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 32 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 49 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 49 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 38 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 62 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 37 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 30 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 30 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 97 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 22 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 70 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.2 in |
Pikeville has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 33°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.0") and November the driest (3.1").