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Weather & Climate in Sparta, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sparta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°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 47.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 748 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
74°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.0°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 748 ft (228 m) |
| Area | 5.9 sq mi (15.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 34/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.6954°N, 84.9061°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Gallatin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International (CVG) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 34.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 27, 1990 | 6 km N of Alton, Indiana | M3.8 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 2004 | 4 km NW of Manilla, Indiana | M3.8 | 120 km | 2 km |
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 114 km | 0 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 78 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 94 km | 0 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 107 km | 30 km |
| Mar 9, 1990 | 8 km ENE of New Amsterdam, Indiana | M2.7 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 89 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 106 km | 35 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 120 km | 17 km |
| May 11, 2015 | 5 km ESE of Maysville, Kentucky | M2.6 | 106 km | 11 km |
| Jul 23, 2013 | 6 km NNE of Germantown, Kentucky | M2.6 | 83 km | 4 km |
| Jan 29, 1990 | 11 km S of Paoli, Indiana | M2.6 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Jan 21, 2018 | 8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.6 | 106 km | 11 km |
| Jan 28, 2024 | 3 km SW of Old Washington, Kentucky | M2.5 | 94 km | 15 km |
| Jan 4, 1999 | 9 km WNW of Mount Sterling, Kentucky | M2.5 | 102 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
465 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 59 fatalities, 2,154 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF5 | 31 km | 20.8 mi | 3 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 26 km | 9.9 mi | 4 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | EF4 | 75 km | 10.0 mi | 4 |
| May 28, 1996 | EF4 | 95 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 22, 1992 | EF4 | 18 km | 26.7 mi | 1 |
| Jun 2, 1990 | EF4 | 58 km | 33.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 73 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 65 km | 19.8 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 92 km | 18.5 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 85 km | 35.6 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 33 km | 27.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 75 km | 35.6 mi | 11 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 71 km | 24.1 mi | 1 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 47 km | 78.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 50 km | 20.4 mi | 3 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 60 km | 8.7 mi | 3 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF3 | 44 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 2007 | EF3 | 61 km | 4.8 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 76 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 1999 | EF3 | 49 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JPG 09 1 (6,113 acres, 1998).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1998 | JPG 09 1 | 6,113 | 49 km |
| 2005 | RX BURNPLAN AREA 2-06 | 5,054 | 48 km |
| 2007 | UNITS 8-9 2008 | 4,316 | 49 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 19 06 WUI | 3,412 | 48 km |
| 2003 | WUI 3 03 | 3,372 | 55 km |
| 2010 | WUI UNIT 28K | 3,230 | 56 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,122 | 56 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 8 | 2,753 | 50 km |
| 2005 | UNIT 3 05 | 2,511 | 55 km |
| 2001 | 01 UNIT 16 | 2,361 | 46 km |
| 2011 | WUI UNITS 0 AND 1 2011 | 2,215 | 50 km |
| 2004 | UNIT 19 | 2,004 | 49 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 8 03 | 1,971 | 51 km |
| 2008 | FY 09 UNIT 42 RX FALL 2008 | 1,942 | 53 km |
| 2000 | JPG 14 | 1,908 | 48 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 16 03 | 1,809 | 46 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 9 | 1,485 | 48 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,462 | 52 km |
| 2010 | TRACER | 1,408 | 56 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,334 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 in |
Sparta has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.9").