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Weather & Climate in Dawson, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dawson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 302 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 38.2 inches. The area receives 29.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 779 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 779 ft (237 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 69/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.4771°N, 78.9452°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Mineral County County |
| Nearest Airport | Greater Cumberland Regional (CBE) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 43.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Apr 21, 1998 | 1 km NNW of Free Union, Virginia | M2.8 | 149 km | 2 km |
| Sep 11, 2024 | 4 km WNW of Claysville, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 148 km | 4 km |
| Aug 15, 2010 | 19 km ESE of Burnsville, West Virginia | M2.5 | 148 km | 17 km |
| Aug 21, 2010 | 19 km WNW of Helvetia, West Virginia | M2.5 | 147 km | 11 km |
| Jul 27, 1997 | 5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia | M2.5 | 143 km | 19 km |
| Jun 25, 2001 | 8 km S of Remington, Virginia | M2.5 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Sep 29, 1997 | Virginia | M2.5 | 149 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
166 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 101 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF4 | 68 km | 36.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 33 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF3 | 82 km | 29.8 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1967 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Aug 25, 2023 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 92 km | 33.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 75 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 80 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 68 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 48 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 14 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1986 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1977 | EF2 | 52 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 1975 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1971 | EF2 | 83 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1969 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1967 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1965 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WATERFALL MOUNTAIN (9,251 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WATERFALL MOUNTAIN | 9,251 | 95 km |
| 2024 | WAITES RUN | 5,496 | 57 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 2,460 | 93 km |
| 2024 | CAPON | 2,302 | 78 km |
| 2011 | SMITH RUN FIRE | 1,908 | 99 km |
| 2001 | NEW CREEK MTN | 1,689 | 59 km |
| 2024 | DOVE HOLLOW | 1,634 | 63 km |
| 2020 | UNNAMED | 1,572 | 67 km |
| 2013 | SMOKE HOLE FIRE | 1,436 | 75 km |
| 2006 | CARDINAL | 1,345 | 95 km |
| 2019 | DRY HOLLOW | 1,327 | 78 km |
| 2024 | GAULEY RIDGE RX | 1,263 | 96 km |
| 2012 | POINT 2 | 1,126 | 85 km |
| 2000 | BRAKE RUN SHEN. MT. RD. | 1,055 | 68 km |
| 2018 | GATE MOUNTAIN | 972 | 94 km |
| 2014 | BEAR DEN | 945 | 47 km |
| 2024 | SERENITY RIDGE FIRE | 877 | 92 km |
| 2024 | SPRING RUN | 847 | 64 km |
| 2019 | KENNEDY PEAK | 769 | 90 km |
| 2024 | GRACE MOUNTAIN | 760 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 2.6 in |
Dawson has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 31°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (2.2").