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Weather & Climate in Buffalo, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buffalo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 237 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.4 inches. The area receives 30.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 614 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 237 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 614 ft (187 m) |
| Area | 52.5 sq mi (135.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 6,845/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.8925°N, 78.8597°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Erie County County |
| Nearest Airport | Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) 7 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 6, 2023 | 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York | M3.8 | 7 km | 6 km |
| Nov 26, 1999 | 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada | M3.8 | 92 km | 13 km |
| Dec 25, 1998 | 23 km SE of Cobourg, Canada | M3.6 | 129 km | 18 km |
| Feb 3, 2001 | 6 km W of Bath, New York | M3.2 | 135 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2000 | 4 km ENE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada | M3.1 | 103 km | 18 km |
| May 8, 2018 | 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada | M3.0 | 94 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 1995 | 3 km NW of Amherst, New York | M3.0 | 12 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2004 | 30 km SSW of Cobourg, Canada | M3.0 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2007 | 27 km S of Cobourg, Canada | M3.0 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2004 | 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York | M2.9 | 23 km | 6 km |
| Jun 5, 2009 | 4 km SSE of Attica, New York | M2.9 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Mar 28, 2005 | 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada | M2.8 | 59 km | 7 km |
| Mar 8, 2008 | 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York | M2.7 | 28 km | 6 km |
| Dec 21, 2009 | 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York | M2.7 | 61 km | 8 km |
| Mar 15, 2022 | 5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York | M2.6 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Mar 29, 2020 | 11 km N of Lyndonville, New York | M2.6 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Sep 20, 2009 | 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada | M2.6 | 72 km | 4 km |
| Jul 11, 2017 | 11 km NNW of Barker, New York | M2.5 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1999 | New York | M2.5 | 84 km | 3 km |
| Dec 17, 1990 | 5 km SSE of Middleboro, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 147 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
91 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 24 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 19, 1970 | EF3 | 25 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1967 | EF3 | 55 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1961 | EF3 | 91 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2024 | EF2 | 30 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2022 | EF2 | 53 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2017 | EF2 | 17 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 14, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 14, 2011 | EF2 | 68 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2010 | EF2 | 82 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2010 | EF2 | 89 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 87 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 52 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1994 | EF2 | 77 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1993 | EF2 | 95 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1992 | EF2 | 64 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1987 | EF2 | 8 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1972 | EF2 | 33 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1971 | EF2 | 13 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1969 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1968 | EF2 | 58 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MOHAWK POOL (507 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | MOHAWK POOL | 507 | 45 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (0°C) | 2.7 in | |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 2.6 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.4 in |
Buffalo has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 26°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (2.2").