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Weather & Climate in Richmond, KY

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

Richmond enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 318 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 41. The city sits at an elevation of 981 feet.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average55.7°F
3% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days318 days/yr

Geography

Elevation981 ft (299 m)
Area23.1 sq mi (59.8 km²)
Population Density1,616/sq mi
Coordinates37.7291°N, 84.2994°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMadison County County
Nearest AirportLake Cumberland Regional (SME)
50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (May) 4.80"
Driest Month (Oct) 2.83"

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score74.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability28.5 / 100
Community Resilience62.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Avalanche Very 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 M4.2 128 km 17 km
Aug 17, 1990 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky M4.0 120 km 1 km
Jan 20, 2020 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M3.8 146 km 35 km
Sep 17, 2004 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky M3.7 92 km 1 km
Sep 8, 1990 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky M3.3 70 km 0 km
Nov 8, 1990 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky M3.2 132 km 0 km
Jan 27, 2009 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky M3.2 107 km 26 km
Jan 17, 1999 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky M3.1 103 km 1 km
May 26, 2021 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee M2.8 141 km 12 km
Aug 20, 2015 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky M2.8 56 km 34 km
Mar 17, 1999 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio M2.8 122 km 0 km
Mar 8, 2015 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky M2.8 119 km 9 km
Jan 19, 2020 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M2.8 146 km 34 km
May 11, 2025 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky M2.8 28 km 30 km
May 22, 2024 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky M2.7 120 km 13 km
Oct 30, 2017 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky M2.7 105 km 3 km
Feb 12, 2020 3 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee M2.7 147 km 35 km
Jan 22, 2018 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky M2.7 109 km 26 km
Mar 13, 2004 7 km N of Fincastle, Tennessee M2.7 141 km 9 km
Mar 21, 1990 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky M2.7 127 km 4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

287 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 45 fatalities, 904 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 77 km 79.4 mi 4
Apr 3, 1974 EF4 18 km 31.9 mi 7
Apr 27, 1971 EF4 99 km 13.0 mi 2
Mar 2, 2012 EF3 90 km 49.0 mi 2
Mar 2, 2012 EF3 63 km 85.0 mi 10
May 8, 2009 EF3 17 km 21.1 mi 2
May 27, 2004 EF3 44 km 3.0 mi 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 94 km 28.8 mi 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 78 km 22.3 mi 7
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 68 km 19.3 mi 0
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 64 km 21.1 mi 1
Apr 3, 1974 EF3 46 km 4.9 mi 0
Jun 29, 1973 EF3 69 km 0.5 mi 0
Apr 23, 1970 EF3 61 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 9, 1961 EF3 42 km 2.6 mi 1
Mar 4, 1955 EF3 13 km 8.9 mi 0
Dec 11, 2021 EF2 45 km 0.6 mi 0
Mar 2, 2012 EF2 60 km 7.2 mi 6
Feb 29, 2012 EF2 83 km 6.3 mi 0
Feb 29, 2012 EF2 97 km 7.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,145 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 66,145 87 km
1987 UNNAMED 11,817 97 km
1987 UNNAMED 10,817 87 km
2001 CRANE CREEK 7,555 72 km
2001 COOL SPRINGS 7,477 93 km
1987 UNNAMED 6,456 68 km
1987 LOCUST GAP 6,014 75 km
1999 UNNAMED 5,823 90 km
1987 UNNAMED 5,426 59 km
1991 OTTER 4,923 96 km
1999 GROUNDHOG 4,258 96 km
2000 THOUSAND STICKS 4,214 96 km
1999 UNNAMED 4,158 96 km
1999 UNNAMED 4,113 87 km
1999 UNNAMED 3,745 90 km
1987 UNNAMED 3,401 80 km
2021 UNNAMED 3,258 93 km
2016 JETTS CREEK FIRE 3,021 69 km
2022 MEADOW BRANCH 2,891 91 km
2001 UNNAMED 2,874 67 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 34°F (1°C) 3.1 in Coldest
February 36°F (2°C) 3.3 in
March 45°F (7°C) 4.4 in
April 54°F (12°C) 4.1 in
May 63°F (17°C) 4.8 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 4.2 in
July 77°F (25°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 74°F (23°C) 3.9 in
September 68°F (20°C) 3.7 in
October 56°F (14°C) 2.8 in Driest
November 46°F (8°C) 3.7 in
December 37°F (3°C) 4.1 in

Richmond has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 34°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (2.8").

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