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Weather & Climate in Black River, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Black River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 270 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 39.6 inches. The area receives 92.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 582 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 43.5°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 582 ft (177 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,056/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0095°N, 75.7965°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | St. Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Watertown International (ART) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 2023 | New York | M3.6 | 24 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 14 km W of Ellisburg, New York | M3.3 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 1997 | 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York | M3.2 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Nov 7, 2002 | 13 km SSW of Belleville, Canada | M3.0 | 131 km | 18 km |
| Mar 2, 1995 | 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York | M3.0 | 112 km | 4 km |
| Oct 13, 1997 | 18 km NW of Cranberry Lake, New York | M3.0 | 77 km | 4 km |
| Sep 4, 2004 | 3 km S of Massena, New York | M2.9 | 122 km | 4 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 136 km | 16 km |
| Oct 12, 1997 | 7 km SSW of Fort Covington Hamlet, New York | M2.9 | 141 km | 14 km |
| Jul 10, 1997 | 8 km WNW of Cornwall, Canada | M2.9 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Jul 14, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Massena, New York | M2.8 | 124 km | 7 km |
| Jul 23, 1996 | 15 km NNE of Saranac Lake, New York | M2.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2008 | 12 km S of Osgoode, Canada | M2.8 | 115 km | 6 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 3 km SSW of Massena, New York | M2.7 | 121 km | 8 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 19 km SW of Winchester, Canada | M2.7 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Mar 21, 2018 | 9 km NNW of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M2.7 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2007 | 4 km N of Kingston, Canada | M2.6 | 62 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
59 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 14 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF3 | 65 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 68 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1990 | EF2 | 99 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1986 | EF2 | 35 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 83 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 79 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2024 | EF1 | 47 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 77 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2021 | EF1 | 85 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2021 | EF1 | 76 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 31 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF1 | 99 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2012 | EF1 | 95 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2011 | EF1 | 92 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2005 | EF1 | 33 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1994 | EF1 | 82 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1993 | EF1 | 83 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.7 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 in |
Black River has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 16°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (2.4").