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Weather & Climate in Cookstown, NJ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cookstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°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 45.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 24.8 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 81 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.1°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 81 ft (25 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 208/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.0437°N, 74.5477°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Mercer County County |
| Nearest Airport | South Jersey Regional (LLY) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 46.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 75 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 74 km | 4 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 40 km | 8 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 78 km | 3 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 92 km | 0 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 74 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 76 km | 7 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 116 km | 12 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 144 km | 9 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 95 km | 2 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 82 km | 18 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 81 mph | 260 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 2 | 92 mph | 226 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 220 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 184 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 299 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 81 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
267 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 190 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF3 | 73 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF3 | 40 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 85 km | 2.0 mi | 3 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 52 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1983 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1977 | EF3 | 36 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 91 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 32 km | 12.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF3 | 92 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 18 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF2 | 26 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Feb 21, 2023 | EF2 | 29 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 59 km | 8.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF2 | 44 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF2 | 48 km | 6.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 35 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.5 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 | — | 149 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 75 km |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | — | — | 62 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GREENWOOD STATE FOREST (21,271 acres, 1995).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1995 | GREENWOOD STATE FOREST | 21,271 | 33 km |
| 2007 | WARREN GROVE | 15,315 | 42 km |
| 2022 | MULLICA RIVER FIRE | 13,082 | 41 km |
| 1999 | BASS RIVER | 12,129 | 43 km |
| 2019 | SPRING HILL FIRE | 8,182 | 29 km |
| 2023 | ALLEN ROAD | 6,213 | 44 km |
| 1992 | FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR | 5,093 | 30 km |
| 1992 | POWER PLANT | 4,928 | 35 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 4,470 | 6 km |
| 2024 | TEA TIME HILL | 4,444 | 29 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,780 | 37 km |
| 2017 | PENN SWAMP FIRE | 3,587 | 42 km |
| 2023 | JIMMYS WATER HOLE | 3,585 | 15 km |
| 1989 | SIMM PLACE | 3,262 | 31 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,824 | 5 km |
| 2007 | ATSION | 2,705 | 39 km |
| 1992 | FOUR MILE COLONY | 2,647 | 20 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,625 | 41 km |
| 2010 | FORT DIX RANGE 1-14 | 2,615 | 4 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 2,367 | 36 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 3.7 in |
Cookstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 31°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (3.0").