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Weather & Climate in Winchester, KY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Winchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 76°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 47.7 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 969 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 969 ft (295 m) |
| Area | 7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,073/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.0024°N, 84.1906°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Bourbon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lake Cumberland Regional (SME) 70 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 82.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 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 | 139 km | 17 km |
| Aug 17, 1990 | 9 km NNW of Loyall, Kentucky | M4.0 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 8 km ESE of Corbin, Kentucky | M3.7 | 120 km | 1 km |
| Feb 19, 1995 | 8 km SSE of Rocky Fork Point, Ohio | M3.6 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Sep 8, 1990 | 5 km N of Owingsville, Kentucky | M3.3 | 43 km | 0 km |
| Nov 8, 1990 | 5 km SW of Blackey, Kentucky | M3.2 | 143 km | 0 km |
| Jan 27, 2009 | 4 km NE of Williamsburg, Kentucky | M3.2 | 137 km | 26 km |
| Jan 17, 1999 | 7 km NNW of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M3.1 | 128 km | 1 km |
| Apr 25, 2020 | 2 km SE of South Shore, Kentucky | M2.9 | 135 km | 27 km |
| Aug 20, 2015 | 6 km SE of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky | M2.8 | 57 km | 34 km |
| Mar 17, 1999 | 2 km NNE of Ripley, Ohio | M2.8 | 90 km | 0 km |
| Mar 8, 2015 | 1 km SE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.8 | 148 km | 9 km |
| May 11, 2025 | 11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky | M2.8 | 46 km | 30 km |
| Oct 30, 2017 | 2 km N of Artemus, Kentucky | M2.7 | 131 km | 3 km |
| May 22, 2024 | 18 km SSE of Hyden, Kentucky | M2.7 | 136 km | 13 km |
| Jan 22, 2018 | 13 km ENE of Flat Lick, Kentucky | M2.7 | 132 km | 26 km |
| Mar 21, 1990 | 1 km W of Spring Mill, Kentucky | M2.7 | 129 km | 4 km |
| Jan 12, 2023 | 4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky | M2.6 | 54 km | 35 km |
| May 11, 2019 | 5 km ENE of Pleasant View, Kentucky | M2.6 | 146 km | 25 km |
| Aug 4, 2023 | 11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky | M2.6 | 44 km | 17 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
293 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 50 fatalities, 1,209 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF4 | 96 km | 9.9 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 77 km | 79.4 mi | 4 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF4 | 42 km | 31.9 mi | 7 |
| Apr 23, 1968 | EF4 | 76 km | 78.7 mi | 6 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 52 km | 85.0 mi | 10 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 94 km | 20.4 mi | 3 |
| Mar 2, 2012 | EF3 | 87 km | 49.0 mi | 2 |
| Feb 28, 2011 | EF3 | 93 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 2009 | EF3 | 46 km | 21.1 mi | 2 |
| May 27, 2004 | EF3 | 31 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2003 | EF3 | 80 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1997 | EF3 | 94 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 27 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 42 km | 19.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 3, 1974 | EF3 | 90 km | 21.1 mi | 1 |
| Jun 29, 1973 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 23, 1970 | EF3 | 43 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF3 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 49 km | 2.6 mi | 1 |
| Feb 10, 1959 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (66,145 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 66,145 | 94 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,817 | 86 km |
| 2001 | CRANE CREEK | 7,555 | 93 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 7,281 | 98 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,456 | 79 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 6,337 | 95 km |
| 1987 | LOCUST GAP | 6,014 | 87 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 5,823 | 95 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 5,426 | 75 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 4,113 | 97 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 3,745 | 98 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 3,401 | 81 km |
| 2016 | JETTS CREEK FIRE | 3,021 | 78 km |
| 2022 | MEADOW BRANCH | 2,891 | 98 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 2,874 | 77 km |
| 2016 | EAGLES NEST | 2,857 | 88 km |
| 1987 | SPENCER RIDGE | 2,556 | 56 km |
| 2022 | CUT GAP | 2,504 | 82 km |
| 2001 | PANCO WOLF BRANCH | 2,504 | 99 km |
| 2021 | ROCKHOUSE FORK | 2,462 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 4.0 in |
Winchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and October the driest (2.8").