Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cortland has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches. The area receives 64.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,122 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average
21°F (-6°C)
July Average
68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,122 ft (342 m)
Area
3.9 sq mi (10.1 km²)
Population Density
4,490/sq mi
Coordinates
42.6009°N, 76.1791°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Cortland County County
Nearest Airport
Ithaca Tompkins International (ITH) 16 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.5"
4% above US avg
Snowfall64.4"
Wettest Month (Sep)4.09"
Driest Month (Feb)2.44"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
51.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
37.2 / 100
Community Resilience
86.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 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
123 km
5 km
Apr 23, 2023
New York
M3.6
141 km
9 km
Jun 29, 2024
14 km W of Ellisburg, New York
M3.3
125 km
5 km
Feb 3, 2001
6 km W of Bath, New York
M3.2
104 km
0 km
Jul 31, 1997
0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York
M3.2
131 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2025
10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania
M2.8
122 km
8 km
Feb 27, 2008
2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York
M2.7
149 km
6 km
Apr 14, 2023
1 km W of Adams Center, New York
M2.6
141 km
6 km
Apr 11, 2007
6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York
M2.6
103 km
7 km
Jan 25, 1999
New York
M2.5
137 km
3 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
289 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
160 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 fatalities, 57 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 31, 1998
EF3
59 km
62.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
89 km
5.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
73 km
2.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
71 km
3.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
76 km
15.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
73 km
20.0 mi
1
Jun 2, 1969
EF3
61 km
17.5 mi
0
Aug 30, 1955
EF3
68 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 16, 2024
EF2
88 km
5.3 mi
0
Jul 8, 2014
EF2
62 km
2.5 mi
4
Aug 21, 2011
EF2
72 km
7.9 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
34 km
7.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
63 km
0.9 mi
0
May 16, 2009
EF2
25 km
5.7 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
47 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 28, 1990
EF2
58 km
2.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 1990
EF2
77 km
17.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1989
EF2
35 km
2.0 mi
2
Sep 18, 1977
EF2
47 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1976
EF2
95 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: DRY MARSH (1,018 acres, 2010).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2010
DRY MARSH
1,018
63 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
21°F (-6°C)
2.6 in
Coldest
February
22°F (-5°C)
2.4 in
Driest
March
32°F (-0°C)
2.9 in
April
43°F (6°C)
3.3 in
May
55°F (13°C)
3.4 in
June
63°F (17°C)
4.1 in
July
68°F (20°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
66°F (19°C)
3.3 in
September
59°F (15°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
October
48°F (9°C)
3.3 in
November
38°F (3°C)
3.5 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
3.3 in
Cortland has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 21°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.4").
All Countries
