Weather & Climate in Birchwood Lakes, PA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Birchwood Lakes experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 275 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 48.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,061 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	49.2°F
	9% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,061 ft (323 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density	1,004/sq mi
Coordinates	41.2509°N, 74.9107°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Sussex County County
Nearest Airport	Pocono Mountains Regional (MPO) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.7"

28% above US avg

Snowfall 38.7"

Wettest Month (May) 4.41"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.95"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	77.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	84.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	63 km	3 km
Jan 16, 1994	2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.6	140 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.2	138 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	64 km	4 km
Jan 9, 1992	4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey	M3.1	110 km	8 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	74 km	3 km
Aug 3, 2025	0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey	M3.0	85 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1991	3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut	M3.0	113 km	10 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	53 km	0 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	64 km	5 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	61 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M2.9	139 km	5 km
May 10, 1993	1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania	M2.8	137 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	78 km	12 km
Apr 12, 1991	2 km ENE of North Castle, New York	M2.7	106 km	9 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	64 km	6 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	64 km	9 km
May 1, 2024	1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	61 km	5 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	62 km	8 km
Aug 22, 2000	2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York	M2.6	109 km	7 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1991	Bob	Category 2	109 mph	252 km
1985	Gloria	Category 1	86 mph	154 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

221 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 115 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 31, 1998	EF3	17 km	20.0 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	87 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 14, 1988	EF3	33 km	7.2 mi	0
Jul 26, 1981	EF3	78 km	3.3 mi	0
Mar 21, 1976	EF3	38 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	61 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	47 km	0.4 mi	0
Apr 22, 2023	EF2	62 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 2018	EF2	78 km	2.9 mi	0
Feb 25, 2017	EF2	71 km	12.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 2010	EF2	60 km	25.7 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	20 km	7.4 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	46 km	4.6 mi	0
Aug 8, 2007	EF2	96 km	5.9 mi	0
Dec 1, 2006	EF2	100 km	20.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 2006	EF2	89 km	10.1 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	25 km	3.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	26 km	2.0 mi	0
Nov 8, 1996	EF2	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Sep 18, 1991	EF2	78 km	4.0 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
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	65 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	UNNAMED	23,000	67 km
2016	16 MILE	7,896	21 km
2024	JENNINGS CREEK	5,069	52 km
2015	ROOSA GAP	2,747	59 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,224	75 km
2009	PENOBSCOT	2,091	80 km
2016	SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE	1,929	67 km
2004	CRYSTAL LAKE	1,838	78 km
2006	CHERRYTOWN FIRE	943	81 km
1988	UNNAMED	833	65 km
2020	SEVEN PINES	790	36 km
2015	RAZOR FIRE	728	83 km
2015	PIPELINE 1	666	66 km
2016	BEAR TOWN	649	27 km
2016	SHERWOOD	642	69 km
2024	WHITEHOUSE	607	82 km
1999	WORTHINGTO	514	34 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	3.3 in
February	26°F (-4°C)	3.0 in	Coldest, Driest
March	35°F (1°C)	3.5 in
April	45°F (7°C)	3.8 in
May	56°F (14°C)	4.4 in	Wettest
June	64°F (18°C)	4.2 in
July	72°F (22°C)	4.1 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	4.1 in
September	61°F (16°C)	4.0 in
October	50°F (10°C)	3.4 in
November	40°F (5°C)	3.8 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	3.5 in

Birchwood Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (3.0").

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