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Weather & Climate in Wheelwright, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wheelwright experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 299 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 50.6 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 1,236 feet.
Temperature
34°F Jan (1°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 53.9°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 34°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,236 ft (377 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 537/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.3392°N, 82.7186°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Knott County County |
| Nearest Airport | West Virginia International Yeager (CRW) 94 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 81.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 4.6 / 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 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very 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
47 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 | 37 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 74 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 118 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 123 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 128 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 147 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 133 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 140 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 38 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 108 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 130 km | 21 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 106 km | 0 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 134 km | 13 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 71 km | 16 km |
| May 20, 2023 | Kentucky-Tennessee border region | M2.8 | 140 km | 17 km |
| Feb 15, 2005 | 12 km NNW of Raven, Virginia | M2.8 | 73 km | 11 km |
| Feb 12, 2021 | 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee | M2.8 | 143 km | 3 km |
| Mar 8, 2015 | 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.8 | 145 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
83 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 82 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 63 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 89 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Jul 4, 2016 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 83 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 34 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 59 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 97 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1955 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2024 | EF1 | 96 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 88 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 51 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 74 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 7, 2014 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF1 | 70 km | 2.0 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 | 12 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 59 km |
| 1987 | BRUSHY | 61,231 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 60 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 52 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 38 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 68 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 62 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 50 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 62 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 53 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 60 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 46 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 26 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 8 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 7 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 7 km |
| 1991 | HUFF CREEK | 15,190 | 92 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 58 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 14,554 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.4 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| September | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in |
Wheelwright has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 44.8 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and October the driest (3.0").