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Weather & Climate in Van Lear, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Van Lear experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 75°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 46.2 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 766 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 55.3°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 305 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 766 ft (233 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.7766°N, 82.7479°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Johnson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greater Portsmouth Regional (PMH) 74 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 71.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 82.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 17.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
40 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 | 76 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 109 km | 1 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 145 km | 1 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 7 km ENE of Rio Grande, Ohio | M3.4 | 131 km | 8 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 101 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 78 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 135 km | 1 km |
| Feb 3, 2025 | 2 km NNW of Oak Hill, Ohio | M3.1 | 128 km | 26 km |
| Jun 28, 1991 | 4 km ENE of Pratt, West Virginia | M3.0 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 149 km | 0 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 105 km | 27 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 118 km | 16 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 145 km | 0 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 98 km | 11 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 98 km | 13 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 141 km | 3 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 126 km | 26 km |
| Feb 8, 2005 | 15 km E of Vansant, Virginia | M2.7 | 95 km | 9 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 6 km WSW of Cumberland, Kentucky | M2.7 | 95 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
79 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 15 fatalities, 249 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 77 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 47 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 8, 1965 | EF3 | 67 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF2 | 56 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 38 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 56 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 71 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1978 | EF2 | 95 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 30 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 76 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 81 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 89 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 72 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 2, 2024 | EF1 | 94 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 40 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2022 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,345 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,345 | 37 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 65 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 56 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 57 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 20 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 52 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 37 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 45 km |
| 1991 | WHITE OAK BRANCH | 25,550 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 64 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 14 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 15 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 55 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 58 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 38 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 51 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 52 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 53 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 85 km |
| 1987 | RUCKERS BRANCH | 14,744 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.9 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.6 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 3.7 in |
Van Lear has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 34°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.9 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and October the driest (3.0").