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Weather & Climate in Cape May, NJ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cape May enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 56°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 293 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 43.8 inches. The area receives 14.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 6 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 56.3°F |
| 4% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,129/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.9411°N, 74.8984°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cape May County County |
| Nearest Airport | Atlantic City International (ACY) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 82 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 119 km | 18 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 102 km | 11 km |
| Feb 26, 1993 | 2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey | M2.5 | 104 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 92 mph | 193 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 2 | 92 mph | 164 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 94 km |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | — | 260 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 75 mph | 255 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 230 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 164 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 173 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 69 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
143 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 101 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 67 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF3 | 87 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1983 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 55 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 73 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1999 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 96 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 1993 | EF2 | 98 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1993 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1992 | EF2 | 54 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1990 | EF2 | 61 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1988 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1987 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1984 | EF2 | 61 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1983 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 2 |
| Jun 9, 1977 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1975 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | — | — | 99 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WARREN GROVE (15,315 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | WARREN GROVE | 15,315 | 97 km |
| 2022 | MULLICA RIVER FIRE | 13,082 | 85 km |
| 1999 | BASS RIVER | 12,129 | 89 km |
| 2023 | ALLEN ROAD | 6,213 | 87 km |
| 2024 | TEA TIME HILL | 4,444 | 98 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,780 | 89 km |
| 2017 | PENN SWAMP FIRE | 3,587 | 85 km |
| 2007 | ATSION | 2,705 | 88 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,625 | 86 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 2,367 | 93 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,122 | 93 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 2,121 | 83 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,860 | 93 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 1,833 | 95 km |
| 2008 | SAUNDERS DITCH | 1,814 | 89 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 1,726 | 96 km |
| 2001 | BOMBING RANGE FIRE | 1,725 | 97 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,685 | 93 km |
| 2023 | LOG SWAMP | 1,601 | 95 km |
| 1988 | SLAU BCH 2 | 1,578 | 35 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 69°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| November | 49°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 40°F (4°C) | 3.5 in |
Cape May has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 36°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and October the driest (3.1").