Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cearfoss experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. The area gets 302 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 35.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 498 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (0°C)78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average
55.4°F
3% above US avg
January Average
33°F (0°C)
July Average
78°F (25°C)
Sunny Days
302 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
498 ft (152 m)
Area
0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density
705/sq mi
Coordinates
39.6991°N, 77.7763°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Washington County County
Nearest Airport
Hagerstown Regional/Richard A Henson Field (HGR) 3 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall35.6"
6% below US avg
Wettest Month (May)3.98"
Driest Month (Feb)2.52"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
68.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
44.6 / 100
Community Resilience
73.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.6.
Jul 16, 2010
5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland
M3.6
58 km
7 km
Jun 13, 2019
9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania
M3.4
84 km
27 km
Jun 3, 2010
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M3.1
81 km
2 km
Jan 17, 2016
3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia
M3.0
43 km
5 km
Nov 14, 1997
0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania
M3.0
139 km
5 km
Apr 24, 2009
1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.9
76 km
1 km
Sep 15, 2019
5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
M2.8
78 km
5 km
Oct 25, 2009
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.8
81 km
1 km
Mar 15, 1993
5 km W of Columbia, Maryland
M2.7
92 km
5 km
Oct 28, 1994
1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland
M2.7
110 km
—
Mar 11, 1995
0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania
M2.7
126 km
5 km
Jan 13, 1990
6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland
M2.6
83 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2021
2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland
M2.6
102 km
3 km
Jan 18, 1994
3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania
M2.6
143 km
5 km
Sep 29, 1997
Virginia
M2.5
102 km
3 km
Jul 27, 1997
5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia
M2.5
142 km
19 km
Mar 10, 1993
3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland
M2.5
93 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2001
8 km S of Remington, Virginia
M2.5
138 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2011
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
299 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
329 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 118 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 19, 1996
EF3
72 km
2.2 mi
0
May 22, 1983
EF3
45 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 7, 1980
EF3
70 km
1.5 mi
0
Apr 16, 1961
EF3
45 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 5, 1952
EF3
69 km
17.5 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
94 km
4.9 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
24 km
2.9 mi
0
Nov 2, 2018
EF2
65 km
5.5 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
86 km
2.6 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
39 km
3.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
68 km
5.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
43 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 24, 2001
EF2
68 km
5.0 mi
0
Jul 19, 1996
EF2
36 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 24, 1996
EF2
97 km
20.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1994
EF2
16 km
6.0 mi
0
Oct 9, 1992
EF2
85 km
2.0 mi
0
Oct 18, 1990
EF2
86 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 8, 1990
EF2
76 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 16, 1989
EF2
50 km
9.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BEAR DEN (945 acres, 2014).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2014
BEAR DEN
945
78 km
1984
UNNAMED
696
97 km
2005
UNNAMED
510
87 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
33°F (0°C)
2.7 in
February
32°F (0°C)
2.5 in
Coldest, Driest
March
41°F (5°C)
3.3 in
April
51°F (11°C)
3.4 in
May
62°F (16°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
June
70°F (21°C)
3.8 in
July
78°F (25°C)
3.5 in
Warmest
August
73°F (23°C)
3.3 in
September
66°F (19°C)
3.3 in
October
54°F (12°C)
3.2 in
November
44°F (7°C)
3.3 in
December
34°F (1°C)
2.8 in
Cearfoss has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 32°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (2.5").