Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Busti experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 45.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 98.4 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 1,394 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-4°C)
July Average
69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
246 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,394 ft (425 m)
Area
2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density
94/sq mi
Coordinates
42.0423°N, 79.2789°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Chautauqua County County
Nearest Airport
Bradford Regional (BFD) 37 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall45.9"
21% above US avg
Snowfall98.4"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.65"
Driest Month (Feb)2.48"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
84.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
70.3 / 100
Community Resilience
89.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Very 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: M4.5.
Sep 25, 1998
2 km SW of Adamsville, Pennsylvania
M4.5
110 km
5 km
Jan 26, 2001
8 km NNW of Edgewood, Ohio
M3.9
126 km
5 km
Feb 6, 2023
1 km NE of West Seneca, New York
M3.8
100 km
6 km
Oct 16, 1993
8 km SSE of Madison, Ohio
M3.6
149 km
5 km
Aug 28, 2023
7 km SE of Madison, Ohio
M3.6
144 km
5 km
Jun 3, 2001
3 km N of Edgewood, Ohio
M3.4
124 km
5 km
May 25, 1995
3 km NW of Amherst, New York
M3.0
112 km
5 km
Jun 16, 2004
11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York
M2.9
81 km
6 km
Jun 5, 2009
4 km SSE of Attica, New York
M2.9
122 km
5 km
Feb 23, 1995
3 km W of Ashtabula, Ohio
M2.9
130 km
5 km
Mar 28, 2005
16 km NW of Virgil, Canada
M2.8
142 km
7 km
Mar 8, 2008
5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York
M2.7
124 km
6 km
Jan 5, 2024
3 km SE of Madison, Ohio
M2.6
148 km
9 km
Mar 15, 2022
5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York
M2.6
118 km
5 km
Jan 20, 2001
0 km NNW of Edgewood, Ohio
M2.6
125 km
5 km
Feb 14, 2009
4 km WSW of Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio
M2.6
144 km
5 km
Jun 1, 2024
1 km E of Madison, Ohio
M2.6
148 km
5 km
Sep 20, 2009
20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada
M2.6
150 km
4 km
Jan 25, 1999
New York
M2.5
140 km
3 km
Jul 17, 2003
1 km SE of Edgewood, Ohio
M2.5
124 km
3 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
169 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 170 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 31, 1985
EF4
57 km
28.0 mi
0
May 31, 1985
EF4
62 km
29.0 mi
7
May 31, 1985
EF4
50 km
29.0 mi
4
May 31, 1985
EF3
56 km
8.0 mi
0
May 31, 1985
EF3
82 km
23.0 mi
2
May 31, 1985
EF3
4 km
13.0 mi
0
May 31, 1985
EF3
44 km
17.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
31 km
28.0 mi
2
Jun 2, 1971
EF3
73 km
29.3 mi
0
Aug 19, 1970
EF3
77 km
2.3 mi
0
Jun 20, 1969
EF3
29 km
84.1 mi
0
Jul 24, 1967
EF3
65 km
11.4 mi
0
Sep 3, 1963
EF3
83 km
8.4 mi
0
May 15, 1961
EF3
56 km
3.0 mi
0
Jul 10, 2024
EF2
73 km
3.2 mi
0
Apr 14, 2019
EF2
28 km
18.0 mi
0
Oct 2, 2018
EF2
95 km
4.1 mi
0
Jul 20, 2017
EF2
85 km
6.1 mi
0
Nov 14, 2011
EF2
39 km
2.9 mi
0
Nov 14, 2011
EF2
46 km
4.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 2.7 m (9 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1823
LAKE ERIE
Unknown
2.7 m
—
145 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (628 acres, 1990).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1990
UNNAMED
628
60 km
2021
UNNAMED
586
48 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-4°C)
2.9 in
February
24°F (-5°C)
2.5 in
Coldest, Driest
March
33°F (0°C)
3.2 in
April
44°F (7°C)
3.5 in
May
55°F (13°C)
3.7 in
June
64°F (18°C)
4.7 in
Wettest
July
69°F (20°C)
4.2 in
Warmest
August
67°F (19°C)
4.3 in
September
60°F (15°C)
4.6 in
October
49°F (9°C)
3.9 in
November
38°F (4°C)
4.3 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
3.8 in
Busti has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 24°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.5").