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Weather & Climate in Whitley City, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whitley City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 74°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 56.1 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 1,311 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
74°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.9°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 299 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,311 ft (400 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 339/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 36.7228°N, 84.4755°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | McCreary County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 25.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 94.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 3.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
132 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 | 135 km | 17 km |
| May 10, 2025 | 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee | M4.1 | 138 km | 25 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 100 km | 1 km |
| Jan 20, 2020 | 2 km NE of Fincastle, Tennessee | M3.8 | 52 km | 35 km |
| Jul 30, 1997 | 6 km NNE of Tazewell, Tennessee | M3.8 | 86 km | 23 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 48 km | 1 km |
| Jun 17, 1998 | 9 km SSE of Coalfield, Tennessee | M3.6 | 87 km | 11 km |
| Jun 19, 2007 | 10 km ENE of Spencer, Tennessee | M3.5 | 130 km | 1 km |
| Mar 5, 2019 | 7 km NE of Maynardville, Tennessee | M3.4 | 81 km | 17 km |
| Aug 31, 2009 | 2 km NNE of Friendsville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 110 km | 14 km |
| Apr 20, 2010 | 4 km SW of Maryville, Tennessee | M3.3 | 119 km | 2 km |
| May 10, 2006 | 3 km WNW of Madisonville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 133 km | 25 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km N of Sevierville, Tennessee | M3.2 | 118 km | 14 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 6 km NW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Jul 26, 2001 | 11 km S of New Market, Tennessee | M3.2 | 115 km | 17 km |
| Mar 7, 2001 | 5 km WNW of Decatur, Tennessee | M3.2 | 137 km | 18 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 31 km | 26 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 135 km | 0 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 63 km | 1 km |
| Apr 29, 2018 | 10 km WSW of Bean Station, Tennessee | M3.1 | 108 km | 21 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
246 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 67 fatalities, 1,083 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 59 km | 11.0 mi | 5 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 80 km | 38.4 mi | 10 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 75 km | 18.8 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 29 km | 16.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 99 km | 14.1 mi | 6 |
| Apr 27, 1971 | EF4 | 66 km | 13.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 27, 2014 | EF3 | 53 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Nov 10, 2002 | EF3 | 78 km | 8.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 66 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1998 | EF3 | 96 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 81 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 1993 | EF3 | 99 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 9, 1988 | EF3 | 66 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Apr 20, 1986 | EF3 | 81 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 48 km | 28.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 46 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 35 km | 22.3 mi | 7 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 21 km | 13.9 mi | 2 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 91 km | 9.4 mi | 3 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 55 km | 12.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (11,817 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,817 | 65 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 11,663 | 56 km |
| 2016 | STINKING CREEK | 10,768 | 39 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,327 | 53 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,084 | 96 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 8,064 | 51 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 7,907 | 80 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 82 km |
| 2001 | COOL SPRINGS | 7,477 | 74 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,590 | 45 km |
| 1987 | K-T FIRE | 6,372 | 18 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,067 | 55 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,973 | 39 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,679 | 70 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,371 | 61 km |
| 1991 | OTTER | 4,923 | 72 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 4,675 | 92 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 4,635 | 70 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,400 | 43 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 4,337 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 38°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 55°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 5.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 56°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 4.5 in |
Whitley City has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 35°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (5.0") and October the driest (3.2").