Weather & Climate in Chatham, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chatham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.0 inches. The area receives 31.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 468 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.5°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 468 ft (143 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,285/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.3618°N, 73.5979°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Columbia County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albany International (ALB) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 68.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 70 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 48 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 104 km | 13 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 51 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 48 km | 9 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 48 km | 7 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 52 km | 16 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 54 km | 22 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 54 km | 18 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 48 km | 9 km |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 15 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 47 km | 8 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 145 km | 4 km |
| Feb 27, 2008 | 2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York | M2.7 | 73 km | 6 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York | M2.6 | 105 km | 7 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 13 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M2.6 | 50 km | 14 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 210 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 84 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
216 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 1,036 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 23 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 92 km | 42.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 93 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 16 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| May 22, 2014 | EF3 | 70 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 76 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 64 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 23 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 99 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 54 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2013 | EF2 | 73 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 36 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 9 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 25 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 38 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 41 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,224 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 90 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 98 km |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 54 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 85 km |
| 2024 | WHITEHOUSE | 607 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.9 in |
Chatham has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (2.2").