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Weather & Climate in Clayton, DE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clayton enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 78°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 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.1°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 46 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,095/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2741°N, 75.6315°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Kent County County |
| Nearest Airport | Philadelphia International (PHL) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
25 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 29 km | 10 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 146 km | 2 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 148 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 132 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 147 km | 1 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 83 km | — |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 81 km | 2 km |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 93 km | 3 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 71 km | 18 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 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 | 263 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 237 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 142 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | — | 278 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 295 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 231 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 212 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 138 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
322 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 222 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 58 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF3 | 56 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 52 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 44 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF3 | 77 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 99 km | 8.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 62 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 96 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 22 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 78 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2004 | EF2 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2004 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2002 | EF2 | 52 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 84 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 55 km | 10.0 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 | — | — | 69 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MULLICA RIVER FIRE (13,082 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | MULLICA RIVER FIRE | 13,082 | 94 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,780 | 99 km |
| 2017 | PENN SWAMP FIRE | 3,587 | 96 km |
| 2007 | ATSION | 2,705 | 93 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 2,367 | 92 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,122 | 91 km |
| 1997 | UNNAMED | 2,121 | 92 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,860 | 92 km |
| 2008 | SAUNDERS DITCH | 1,814 | 91 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 1,685 | 92 km |
| 1988 | SLAU BCH 2 | 1,578 | 52 km |
| 2020 | SPLIT DITCH | 1,518 | 46 km |
| 2020 | BIG TIMBER | 1,434 | 75 km |
| 2014 | RAILROAD | 1,431 | 46 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 1,411 | 98 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,386 | 95 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 1,355 | 98 km |
| 1991 | KENTIS WEST | 1,273 | 19 km |
| 2002 | SLAUGHTERBEACH | 1,228 | 51 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 1,094 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.6 in | |
| February | 35°F (2°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 44°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| June | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 47°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in |
Clayton has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 35°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.9").