All Countries
Weather & Climate in The Plains, OH
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
The Plains experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 73°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 41.6 inches. The area receives 17.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 716 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.2°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 716 ft (218 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,133/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3652°N, 82.1336°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Athens County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mid-Ohio Valley Regional (PKB) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 68.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 50.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Nov 20, 2013 | 2 km SW of Buchtel, Ohio | M3.5 | 11 km | 8 km |
| Mar 31, 2013 | West Virginia | M3.4 | 138 km | 8 km |
| May 24, 2017 | 1 km S of McArthur, Ohio | M3.4 | 33 km | 10 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 95 km | 2 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 54 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 14 km SW of Gassaway, West Virginia | M3.4 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 63 km | 26 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 3 km SE of Lowell, Ohio | M3.1 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio | M3.1 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M3.1 | 76 km | 6 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 83 km | 4 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 101 km | 27 km |
| May 9, 2025 | 3 km S of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.9 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 0 km NE of Reno, Ohio | M2.8 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Apr 29, 2025 | 1 km SE of Pleasant City, Ohio | M2.8 | 78 km | 2 km |
| May 6, 2002 | 3 km SE of Racine, Ohio | M2.8 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Aug 31, 2011 | 2 km NNW of Belmont, West Virginia | M2.8 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 2013 | 12 km SSW of Glenville, West Virginia | M2.8 | 121 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 10 fatalities, 248 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF5 | 94 km | 34.0 mi | 7 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF3 | 38 km | 9.1 mi | 1 |
| Oct 13, 1999 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 22, 1971 | EF3 | 96 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1970 | EF3 | 78 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2024 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2024 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 28, 2024 | EF2 | 94 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2022 | EF2 | 52 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2019 | EF2 | 54 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 2011 | EF2 | 79 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF2 | 11 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2010 | EF2 | 50 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2006 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 11, 2006 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2003 | EF2 | 44 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2002 | EF2 | 58 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 2000 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 127 (1,349 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | 127 | 1,349 | 78 km |
| 2019 | CY19 BLUEGRASS PRESCRIBED BURN | 1,190 | 90 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 37-38 | 1,050 | 12 km |
| 2021 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 1-12 | 1,037 | 14 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 11-19 | 936 | 14 km |
| 2022 | LONG RIDGE RX UNIT 24 | 709 | 8 km |
| 1988 | RUSH HOLLOW ROAD | 605 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 2.6 in | |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in |
The Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 30°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.3 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and January the driest (2.6").