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Weather & Climate in Sylvester, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sylvester enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (13°C). Winters average 35°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 49.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 17.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,114 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 56.1°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,114 ft (340 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,840/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.0080°N, 81.5617°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Boone County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 85.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 13.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively 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 Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
47 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 | 119 km | 15 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 118 km | 8 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 95 km | 8 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 87 km | 0 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 140 km | 2 km |
| Sep 13, 2017 | 11 km NE of Peterstown, West Virginia | M3.2 | 96 km | 18 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 135 km | 26 km |
| Dec 4, 2001 | 9 km W of Alderson, West Virginia | M3.1 | 78 km | 9 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 32 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 143 km | 27 km |
| Jan 22, 1995 | 0 km WNW of Pulaski, Virginia | M2.9 | 127 km | 9 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 96 km | 11 km |
| Jul 4, 2009 | 3 km E of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 102 km | 0 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 109 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 2012 | 14 km WNW of Birch River, West Virginia | M2.8 | 85 km | 0 km |
| Jul 15, 2021 | 10 km S of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 107 km | 20 km |
| May 12, 2017 | 6 km SSW of Narrows, Virginia | M2.8 | 103 km | 4 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 96 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
71 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 61 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 53 km | 32.2 mi | 1 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 52 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 50 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 94 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF2 | 55 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1990 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 24, 1975 | EF2 | 99 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 12, 1965 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 1961 | EF2 | 36 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 68 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 20 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 42 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 46 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 84 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 27 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY (61,231 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 52 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 67 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 88 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 90 km |
| 1991 | KAYFORD MOUNTAIN | 31,509 | 16 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 70 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 66 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 20 km |
| 1987 | ELLIS CREEK | 24,070 | 14 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 83 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 66 km |
| 1991 | BROWNS BRANCH | 17,324 | 9 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 39 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 18 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 14,554 | 66 km |
| 1991 | ROLLINS BRANCH | 14,435 | 27 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,264 | 83 km |
| 1991 | GAULEY MTN | 13,113 | 41 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 62 km |
| 1991 | TOMS BRANCH | 11,849 | 21 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 5.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.7 in |
Sylvester has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 35°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and October the driest (3.1").