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Weather & Climate in Ripley, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ripley experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 293 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 46.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 11.6 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 599 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 599 ft (183 m) |
| Area | 3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 952/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8216°N, 81.7093°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 36.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
45 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 81 km | 8 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 73 km | 0 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 52 km | 8 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 79 km | 8 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 76 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 79 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M3.1 | 118 km | 6 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 102 km | 4 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 73 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 107 km | 27 km |
| May 9, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.9 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 69 km | 13 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 76 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
105 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 8 fatalities, 141 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF5 | 96 km | 34.0 mi | 7 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 96 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 44 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF2 | 80 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2003 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2002 | EF2 | 56 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2000 | EF2 | 60 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jan 8, 1998 | EF2 | 51 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1981 | EF2 | 75 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 13, 1967 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2024 | EF1 | 85 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2024 | EF1 | 58 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 52 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 61 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 70 km | 4.2 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 | 95 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 77 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 99 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 84 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 88 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 85 km |
| 1991 | LEFT FORK | 10,196 | 70 km |
| 1991 | DRY BRANCH | 8,059 | 73 km |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 90 km |
| 1991 | CARBANATE | 6,533 | 81 km |
| 1987 | JOES BRANCH | 6,340 | 79 km |
| 1987 | PLUM BRANCH | 6,223 | 92 km |
| 1987 | TUCKER HOLLOW | 5,862 | 83 km |
| 1987 | HUNTERS BRANCH | 5,592 | 89 km |
| 1991 | PRICHARD | 5,220 | 98 km |
| 1987 | BULL CREEK | 5,080 | 67 km |
| 1991 | BALL FORK | 4,961 | 89 km |
| 1991 | MILBURN | 4,777 | 96 km |
| 1991 | BEND BRANCH | 4,605 | 100 km |
| 1999 | SCHYLER FORK | 4,417 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in |
Ripley has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.1 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and February the driest (3.1").