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Weather & Climate in Richwood, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Richwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 290 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 55.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 100.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 2,186 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 49.9°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,186 ft (666 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,625/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.2224°N, 80.5380°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Nicholas County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 82.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 40.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 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 | 43 km | 15 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 53 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 | 85 km | 18 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 58 km | 9 km |
| May 16, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Cave Spring, Virginia | M3.0 | 118 km | 13 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 70 km | 7 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 132 km | 9 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 148 km | 10 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 76 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 49 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 112 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 108 km | 4 km |
| Aug 18, 2000 | 2 km SSE of Narrows, Virginia | M2.7 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 44 km | 13 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 75 km | 17 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 81 km | 21 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: 1 fatality, 44 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 63 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 44 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 90 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1990 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 69 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 50 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 79 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 98 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2018 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 6 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2015 | EF1 | 77 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 8 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYFORD MOUNTAIN (31,509 acres, 1991).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 78 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 88 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 97 km |
| 2012 | RICH HOLE | 15,923 | 86 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 53 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 73 km |
| 2012 | ALLEGHANY TUNNELS FIRES | 11,055 | 59 km |
| 1991 | BRUSHY FORK | 10,704 | 91 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 92 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 79 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 7,791 | 71 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 49 km |
| 2012 | BARBOURS CREEK. | 7,244 | 78 km |
| 1991 | PEACHTREE | 6,635 | 95 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 63 km |
| 1987 | JOES BRANCH | 6,340 | 91 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 72 km |
| 1991 | MILBURN | 4,777 | 72 km |
| 1999 | SCHYLER FORK | 4,417 | 70 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 4,219 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 4.9 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 5.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 4.0 in |
Richwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 29°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.7") and February the driest (3.5").