Weather & Climate in Buena Vista, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buena Vista experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.3 inches. The area receives 21.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Moderate with a median AQI of 52. 48% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 827 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.4°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 827 ft (252 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,653/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.2777°N, 79.8005°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Allegheny County County |
| Nearest Airport | Arnold Palmer Regional (LBE) 21 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 52.0 |
| Rating | Moderate |
| Good Days % | 47.8% |
| Unhealthy Days | 9 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 98.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 91.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Sep 25, 1998 | 2 km SW of Adamsville, Pennsylvania | M4.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2017 | 1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio | M3.4 | 133 km | 2 km |
| Apr 22, 2025 | 3 km ESE of Buffalo, Ohio | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 2, 2017 | 5 km W of Graysville, Ohio | M3.0 | 141 km | 4 km |
| Mar 30, 2024 | 2 km SSW of Maple Ridge, Ohio | M3.0 | 127 km | 6 km |
| Aug 7, 2000 | 2 km S of Limaville, Ohio | M2.9 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Sep 11, 2024 | 4 km WNW of Claysville, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 58 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
270 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 550 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF4 | 55 km | 36.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 42 km | 11.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 85 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 83 km | 39.0 mi | 9 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 84 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF3 | 27 km | 11.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 3, 1963 | EF3 | 8 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | EF2 | 18 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2024 | EF2 | 22 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 2024 | EF2 | 91 km | 15.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 2023 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2022 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Mar 31, 2022 | EF2 | 72 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 21, 2021 | EF2 | 60 km | 15.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 37 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2011 | EF2 | 5 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 58 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 68 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 60 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1997 | EF2 | 41 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (510 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | UNNAMED | 510 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 65°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.0 in |
Buena Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 30°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (2.6").