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Weather & Climate in Whitesburg, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whitesburg 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 1,146 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 | 1,146 ft (349 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 638/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 37.1178°N, 82.8230°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Letcher County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 99 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 66.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 86.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 10.8 / 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 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
73 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 | 21 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 54 km | 1 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 93 km | 23 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 132 km | 35 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 107 km | 1 km |
| Jun 26, 1995 | 6 km NNW of Trout Dale, Virginia | M3.4 | 126 km | 2 km |
| Feb 12, 1994 | 10 km NNW of Abingdon, Virginia | M3.4 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 122 km | 17 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 146 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 19 km | 0 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 143 km | 14 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 140 km | 17 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 122 km | 26 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 104 km | 21 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 90 km | 1 km |
| Apr 13, 2001 | 11 km W of Sneedville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 80 km | 0 km |
| Nov 24, 2012 | 7 km NE of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.0 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 1995 | 3 km NW of Mountain City, Tennessee | M3.0 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 7 km SW of New Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.0 | 109 km | 13 km |
| Aug 14, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Nickelsville, Virginia | M2.9 | 57 km | 16 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
97 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 fatalities, 129 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 76 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF3 | 94 km | 19.6 mi | 3 |
| Apr 4, 1974 | EF3 | 86 km | 8.4 mi | 1 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 29, 2012 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 2011 | EF2 | 93 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 25 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 100 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 57 km | 24.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1980 | EF2 | 71 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1972 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1962 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 8, 1957 | EF2 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 5, 1955 | EF2 | 72 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2024 | EF1 | 70 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2023 | EF1 | 45 km | 0.6 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 | 61 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 41,794 | 82 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 38,312 | 78 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 32,565 | 59 km |
| 1991 | JENNINGS CREEK | 29,308 | 95 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 27,317 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,282 | 68 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 21,562 | 87 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 20,994 | 75 km |
| 1991 | TUG RIVER | 20,813 | 83 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 18,013 | 49 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,759 | 42 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 17,406 | 23 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 17,328 | 22 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 15,526 | 26 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 15,138 | 32 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,264 | 74 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 13,124 | 55 km |
| 1991 | ROCK HOUSE BRANCH | 13,056 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F (1°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 3.6 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.6 in |
Whitesburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 34°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (3.2").