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Weather & Climate in Stanford, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stanford 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 305 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 47.9 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 918 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 918 ft (280 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 765/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.5307°N, 84.6570°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 32.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 69.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 41.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
33 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 | 148 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 131 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 135 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 88 km | 1 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 96 km | 26 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 104 km | 1 km |
| May 26, 2021 | 8 km NW of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 127 km | 12 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 54 km | 34 km |
| Mar 8, 2015 | 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.8 | 107 km | 9 km |
| Jan 19, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.8 | 135 km | 34 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 26 km | 30 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 104 km | 3 km |
| Feb 12, 2020 | 3 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.7 | 135 km | 35 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 114 km | 26 km |
| Mar 13, 2004 | 7 km N of Fincastle, Tennessee | M2.7 | 129 km | 9 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Jul 21, 2015 | 13 km W of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M2.7 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 25 km | 35 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
327 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 45 fatalities, 987 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 80 km | 20.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 25 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 68 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 82 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 62 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Dec 11, 2021 | EF3 | 69 km | 14.5 mi | 1 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 21 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 62 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 82 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 28, 1997 | EF3 | 100 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 85 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 91 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 60 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 81 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 60 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 84 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 26 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 68 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1970 | EF3 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 12, 1967 | EF3 | 80 km | 23.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (11,817 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 99 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 83 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 94 km |
| 1987 | LOCUST GAP | 6,014 | 98 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,426 | 81 km |
| 2013 | UNNAMED | 3,940 | 86 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,571 | 95 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 3,258 | 78 km |
| 2016 | JETTS CREEK FIRE | 3,021 | 97 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,874 | 93 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 2,835 | 95 km |
| 2018 | UNNAMED | 2,734 | 80 km |
| 1999 | PIGSKIN | 2,712 | 94 km |
| 1987 | SPENCER RIDGE | 2,556 | 73 km |
| 2022 | CUT GAP | 2,504 | 44 km |
| 2010 | AUGER SPRINGS RX | 2,199 | 73 km |
| 2000 | SCHOOLHOUS | 2,155 | 100 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 2,128 | 81 km |
| 2022 | UNNAMED | 1,972 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.5 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.3 in |
Stanford has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and October the driest (2.9").