Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Adamstown enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 79°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 43.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 312 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (2°C)79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average
57.0°F
6% above US avg
January Average
35°F (2°C)
July Average
79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
312 ft (95 m)
Area
3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²)
Population Density
2,246/sq mi
Coordinates
39.3070°N, 77.4693°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Frederick County County
Nearest Airport
Washington Dulles International (IAD) 28 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall43.5"
15% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)3.94"
Driest Month (Feb)2.64"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
74.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
77.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.6.
Jul 16, 2010
5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland
M3.6
7 km
7 km
Jun 13, 2019
9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania
M3.4
124 km
27 km
Jun 3, 2010
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M3.1
97 km
2 km
Jan 17, 2016
3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia
M3.0
31 km
5 km
Nov 14, 1997
0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania
M3.0
140 km
5 km
Apr 24, 2009
1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.9
92 km
1 km
Sep 15, 2019
5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
M2.8
84 km
5 km
Oct 25, 2009
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.8
97 km
1 km
Mar 15, 1993
5 km W of Columbia, Maryland
M2.7
50 km
5 km
Oct 28, 1994
1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland
M2.7
75 km
—
Mar 11, 1995
0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania
M2.7
127 km
5 km
Jan 13, 1990
6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland
M2.6
52 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2021
2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland
M2.6
65 km
3 km
Jan 18, 1994
3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania
M2.6
145 km
5 km
Sep 29, 1997
Virginia
M2.5
55 km
3 km
Jul 27, 1997
5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia
M2.5
107 km
19 km
Mar 10, 1993
3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland
M2.5
51 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2001
8 km S of Remington, Virginia
M2.5
99 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2011
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
253 km
2003
Isabel
Category 1
75 mph
291 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
290 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
98 mph
276 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
436 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 367 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 28, 2002
EF4
88 km
38.0 mi
3
Sep 24, 2001
EF4
93 km
10.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF3
92 km
9.0 mi
0
Sep 24, 2001
EF3
60 km
17.5 mi
2
Jul 19, 1996
EF3
47 km
2.2 mi
0
May 22, 1983
EF3
48 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 7, 1980
EF3
79 km
1.5 mi
0
Sep 5, 1979
EF3
68 km
17.9 mi
1
Jan 26, 1978
EF3
91 km
0.7 mi
1
Apr 1, 1973
EF3
58 km
9.8 mi
0
Jun 9, 1961
EF3
74 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 16, 1961
EF3
83 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 5, 1952
EF3
69 km
17.5 mi
0
Sep 1, 2021
EF2
91 km
11.4 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
74 km
2.9 mi
0
Nov 2, 2018
EF2
26 km
5.5 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
81 km
8.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
72 km
13.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
13 km
3.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
49 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: SMITH RUN FIRE (1,908 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
SMITH RUN FIRE
1,908
82 km
2012
POINT 2
1,126
89 km
1999
NCO
816
85 km
1984
UNNAMED
696
84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
35°F (2°C)
2.7 in
February
34°F (1°C)
2.6 in
Coldest, Driest
March
43°F (6°C)
3.4 in
April
53°F (12°C)
3.2 in
May
62°F (17°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
June
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
July
79°F (26°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
September
67°F (20°C)
3.3 in
October
56°F (13°C)
2.8 in
November
46°F (8°C)
3.2 in
December
37°F (3°C)
2.9 in
Adamstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 34°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.6").