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Weather & Climate in Clifton, NJ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Clifton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 273 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 59.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 157 feet.
Temperature
40°F Jan (4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 54.8°F |
| 1% above US avg | |
| January Average | 40°F (4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 157 ft (48 m) |
| Area | 11.4 sq mi (29.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 7,912/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.8621°N, 74.1604°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Essex County County |
| Nearest Airport | Newark Liberty International (EWR) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 80.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 54 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 53 km | 4 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 85 km | 3 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 58 km | 8 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 54 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 9 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 31 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 53 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 20 km | 12 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 53 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 150 km | 4 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey | M2.6 | 37 km | 8 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Oct 27, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York | M2.6 | 18 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 51 km | 9 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York | M2.6 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey | M2.6 | 55 km | 6 km |
| Jan 15, 1992 | 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York | M2.5 | 42 km | 7 km |
| Feb 26, 1993 | 2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey | M2.5 | 128 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 297 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 177 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 78 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
224 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 123 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 93 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 67 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 61 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1977 | EF3 | 63 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 29 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 84 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 2023 | EF2 | 79 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF2 | 88 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 60 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2007 | EF2 | 26 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 34 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2001 | EF2 | 59 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1998 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | LONG ISLAND, NY | Meteorological | 0.3 m | - | 90 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | - | - | 65 km |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | - | - | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 37 km |
| 2016 | 16 MILE | 7,896 | 91 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 37 km |
| 2023 | JIMMYS WATER HOLE | 3,585 | 97 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,824 | 99 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 89 km |
| 2010 | FORT DIX RANGE 1-14 | 2,615 | 99 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 97 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 92 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,318 | 99 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 959 | 97 km |
| 1986 | LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR | 906 | 95 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 877 | 99 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 42 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 737 | 58 km |
| 1989 | LAKEWOOD | 728 | 88 km |
| 2016 | BEAR TOWN | 649 | 96 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 36 km |
| 2014 | TURKEY RUN ROAD | 546 | 99 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 544 | 100 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40°F (4°C) | 3.8 in | |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 4.2 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 3.7 in |
Clifton has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in February to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.0").