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Weather & Climate in Brainards, NJ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Brainards experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 271 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 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 260 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 260 ft (79 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 956/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.7718°N, 75.1699°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Northampton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Lehigh Valley International (ABE) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 90.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
33 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 36 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 37 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 19 km | 3 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 84 km | 8 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 95 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 55 km | 0 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 87 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 35 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 37 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 99 km | 12 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 134 km | 9 km |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 95 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 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 | 297 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 256 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 158 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
308 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 6 fatalities, 196 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF3 | 73 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 59 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 70 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 3 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 82 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1981 | EF3 | 35 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1977 | EF3 | 71 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 23 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 39 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 65 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF3 | 97 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 2023 | EF2 | 68 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 74 km | 8.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF2 | 51 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 79 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 27 km |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | — | — | 108 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | 16 MILE | 7,896 | 48 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 86 km |
| 2009 | PENOBSCOT | 2,091 | 75 km |
| 2004 | CRYSTAL LAKE | 1,838 | 71 km |
| 2012 | HOPEWELL FIRE | 812 | 79 km |
| 2020 | SEVEN PINES | 790 | 45 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 737 | 79 km |
| 2015 | RAZOR FIRE | 728 | 43 km |
| 2015 | PIPELINE 1 | 666 | 58 km |
| 2016 | BEAR TOWN | 649 | 46 km |
| 2014 | TURKEY RUN ROAD | 546 | 99 km |
| 1999 | WORTHINGTO | 514 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 3.5 in |
Brainards has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 29°F in February to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.8").