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Weather & Climate in Bethel, DE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 77°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 46.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.
Temperature
35°F Jan (1°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 55.4°F |
| 3% above US avg | |
| January Average | 35°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 980/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.5710°N, 75.6195°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wicomico County County |
| Nearest Airport | Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 117 km | — |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 125 km | 3 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 149 km | 18 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 77 km | 11 km |
| Mar 10, 1993 | 3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland | M2.5 | 132 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 2 | 92 mph | 215 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 213 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 75 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 277 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | — | 201 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 238 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 235 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 192 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 135 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 99 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
192 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 101 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 21 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 62 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 90 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 18 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 56 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 60 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 3 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 47 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 97 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1992 | EF2 | 51 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1984 | EF2 | 26 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 13, 1983 | EF2 | 86 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1983 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 27, 1978 | EF2 | 92 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1977 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 1973 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1971 | EF2 | 71 km | 28.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | — | — | 141 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BESTPITCH | 7,743 | 39 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 45 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 43 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 41 km |
| 2007 | GUINEA MARSH | 4,173 | 37 km |
| 2009 | DOCTORS CREEK | 3,686 | 37 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 43 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 42 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 43 km |
| 2005 | ISLAND CREEK | 2,729 | 37 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,156 | 38 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 38 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 36 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 37 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 45 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 45 km |
| 1988 | SLAU BCH 2 | 1,578 | 46 km |
| 2020 | SPLIT DITCH | 1,518 | 95 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 46 km |
| 2014 | RAILROAD | 1,431 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F (1°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.5 in |
Bethel has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 35°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (3.1").