All Countries
Weather & Climate in Terra Alta, WV
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Terra Alta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 67°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 57.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 171.1 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 2,588 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
67°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 47.7°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 290 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,588 ft (789 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,674/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.4443°N, 79.5436°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Preston County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greater Cumberland Regional (CBE) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively 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 Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.4.
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 143 km | 8 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Jul 20, 2013 | 6 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.7 | 131 km | 21 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 7 km W of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.7 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Sep 4, 2011 | 3 km N of Saint Marys, West Virginia | M2.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Aug 16, 2013 | 13 km SW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.6 | 138 km | 6 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 3 km WNW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.6 | 138 km | 0 km |
| Oct 16, 2000 | West Virginia | M2.5 | 149 km | 17 km |
| Apr 29, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M2.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 2024 | 4 km WNW of Claysville, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 109 km | 4 km |
| Aug 15, 2010 | 19 km ESE of Burnsville, West Virginia | M2.5 | 103 km | 17 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 19 km WNW of Helvetia, West Virginia | M2.5 | 103 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
141 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 111 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF4 | 73 km | 36.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 52 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 32 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 20 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 25, 2023 | EF2 | 57 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF2 | 94 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 35 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 43 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 53 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1990 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF2 | 56 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF2 | 97 km | 38.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1981 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1980 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 4 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1971 | EF2 | 44 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1970 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1969 | EF2 | 61 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1968 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WAITES RUN (5,496 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 93 km |
| 2024 | CAPON | 2,302 | 92 km |
| 2001 | NEW CREEK MTN | 1,689 | 56 km |
| 2024 | DOVE HOLLOW | 1,634 | 81 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,572 | 98 km |
| 2013 | SMOKE HOLE FIRE | 1,436 | 68 km |
| 2019 | DRY HOLLOW | 1,327 | 71 km |
| 2000 | BRAKE RUN SHEN. MT. RD. | 1,055 | 79 km |
| 2014 | BEAR DEN | 945 | 87 km |
| 2024 | SPRING RUN | 847 | 71 km |
| 2024 | GRACE MOUNTAIN | 760 | 84 km |
| 2012 | WOLF GAP | 710 | 95 km |
| 1994 | ELKHORN TOWER | 696 | 73 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 547 | 93 km |
| 2001 | SOUTH BRANCH | 519 | 63 km |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 510 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 47°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 4.8 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.7 in | |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 5.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 4.0 in |
Terra Alta has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 26°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and February the driest (3.3").