All Countries
Weather & Climate in Rock Cave, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rock Cave experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 71°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 56.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 55.4 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 1,755 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 51.8°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,755 ft (535 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 117/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.8404°N, 80.3375°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Upshur County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Ohio Valley Regional (PKB) 69 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
35 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 | 101 km | 15 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 48 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 57 km | 0 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 129 km | 9 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 120 km | 4 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 110 km | 7 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 50 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 57 km | 0 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 109 km | 10 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 21, 2017 | 1 km SW of Pratt, West Virginia | M2.7 | 117 km | 17 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 48 km | 21 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 14 km SE of Falling Spring, West Virginia | M2.7 | 103 km | 13 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 49 km | 0 km |
| Mar 4, 2019 | 13 km E of Meadow Bridge, West Virginia | M2.6 | 116 km | 16 km |
| Sep 4, 2011 | 3 km N of Saint Marys, West Virginia | M2.6 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1998 | 10 km NE of Sylvester, West Virginia | M2.6 | 131 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
57 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 41 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF3 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 86 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 98 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 7, 1956 | EF2 | 31 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 49 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2017 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 65 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2015 | EF1 | 15 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 89 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 31 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 65 km | 4.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 80 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2000 | EF1 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RICK CREEK ROAD (7,740 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | RICK CREEK ROAD | 7,740 | 99 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 3,569 | 91 km |
| 1991 | BLUE CREEK | 3,268 | 96 km |
| 1999 | KUNS BRANCH | 2,475 | 95 km |
| 2018 | LOCKRIDGE RX | 2,473 | 84 km |
| 2024 | RAMSHORN-GUINN RIDGES RX | 2,469 | 72 km |
| 2015 | UNNAMED | 2,114 | 92 km |
| 2001 | NEW CREEK MTN | 1,689 | 96 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 1,686 | 99 km |
| 2017 | CHESTNUT RIDGE RX | 1,624 | 73 km |
| 1991 | COAL HILL | 1,497 | 93 km |
| 2017 | UNNAMED | 1,446 | 73 km |
| 2013 | SMOKE HOLE FIRE | 1,436 | 90 km |
| 2019 | DRY HOLLOW | 1,327 | 89 km |
| 1987 | ELK HOLLOW | 1,174 | 90 km |
| 2014 | UNNAMED | 1,069 | 99 km |
| 2010 | CHESTNUT RIDGE RX | 1,033 | 72 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 1,026 | 91 km |
| 1994 | LEATHERWOOD CREEK | 864 | 81 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 783 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 5.0 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.8 in |
Rock Cave has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 31°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.0") and February the driest (3.2").