Weather & Climate in Colonia, NJ

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Colonia experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 275 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 48.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 21.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 86 feet.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	54.9°F
	2% above US avg
January Average	32°F (0°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	86 ft (26 m)
Area	3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²)
Population Density	4,539/sq mi
Coordinates	40.5893°N, 74.3114°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Union County County
Nearest Airport	Newark Liberty International (EWR) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.7"

28% above US avg

Snowfall 21.4"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.92"

Driest Month (Feb) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	55.8 / 100
Community Resilience	30.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	40 km	3 km
Jan 16, 1994	2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.6	149 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.2	146 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	38 km	4 km
Jan 9, 1992	4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey	M3.1	25 km	8 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	67 km	3 km
Aug 3, 2025	0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey	M3.0	37 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1991	3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut	M3.0	82 km	10 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	36 km	0 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M2.9	147 km	5 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	40 km	7 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	39 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	53 km	12 km
May 10, 1993	1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania	M2.8	147 km	5 km
Jul 1, 2009	3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey	M2.8	145 km	5 km
Apr 12, 1991	2 km ENE of North Castle, New York	M2.7	84 km	9 km
Jan 25, 2015	4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania	M2.6	132 km	2 km
Jul 5, 1996	2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania	M2.6	126 km	18 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	40 km	6 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	37 km	9 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2014	Arthur	Category 1	81 mph	294 km
2012	Sandy	Category 1	92 mph	272 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	75 mph	283 km
1991	Bob	Category 2	109 mph	182 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	85 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 fatalities, 138 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 29, 2021	EF3	78 km	3.4 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	41 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 14, 1988	EF3	84 km	7.2 mi	0
Sep 26, 1977	EF3	30 km	5.9 mi	0
Mar 21, 1976	EF3	85 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	28 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	45 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 24, 1960	EF3	53 km	12.9 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	49 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	49 km	2.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 21, 2023	EF2	48 km	5.8 mi	0
Sep 1, 2021	EF2	95 km	8.3 mi	1
Jul 29, 2021	EF2	60 km	6.3 mi	0
Jul 29, 2021	EF2	93 km	4.2 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	79 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	88 km	4.6 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	79 km	7.4 mi	0
Aug 8, 2007	EF2	18 km	5.9 mi	0
Jul 12, 2006	EF2	65 km	10.1 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	—	105 km
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	49 km
1840	PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA	Earthquake	—	—	116 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	69 km
1995	GREENWOOD STATE FOREST	21,271	84 km
2007	WARREN GROVE	15,315	99 km
2019	SPRING HILL FIRE	8,182	90 km
2016	16 MILE	7,896	98 km
1992	FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR	5,093	81 km
2024	JENNINGS CREEK	5,069	65 km
1992	POWER PLANT	4,928	84 km
1992	UNNAMED	4,470	68 km
2024	TEA TIME HILL	4,444	92 km
2023	JIMMYS WATER HOLE	3,585	65 km
1989	SIMM PLACE	3,262	91 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,824	67 km
1992	FOUR MILE COLONY	2,647	83 km
2010	FORT DIX RANGE 1-14	2,615	67 km
1990	UNNAMED	2,367	99 km
1996	UNNAMED	2,122	100 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,860	99 km
1997	UNNAMED	1,833	96 km
1997	UNNAMED	1,793	68 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	32°F (0°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	33°F (1°C)	3.0 in	Driest
March	41°F (5°C)	4.1 in
April	51°F (11°C)	4.1 in
May	62°F (16°C)	4.5 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.8 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.4 in
September	67°F (19°C)	4.3 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.7 in
November	46°F (8°C)	4.1 in
December	36°F (2°C)	3.8 in

Colonia has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 32°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and February the driest (3.0").

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