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Weather & Climate in Donaldson, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Donaldson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°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 48.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 33.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 867 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.5°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 867 ft (264 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,995/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.6363°N, 76.4059°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Schuylkill County County |
| Nearest Airport | Reading Regional/Carl A Spaatz Field (RDG) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 85.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 139 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 140 km | 4 km |
| Jun 13, 2019 | 9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania | M3.4 | 96 km | 27 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 110 km | 3 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 78 km | 2 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 83 km | 1 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 49 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 139 km | 7 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 105 km | 8 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 46 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 77 km | 1 km |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 150 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 248 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
330 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 14 fatalities, 243 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 14, 2004 | EF3 | 42 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 3 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 87 km | 19.0 mi | 6 |
| Jul 26, 1981 | EF3 | 71 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1980 | EF3 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1976 | EF3 | 96 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1970 | EF3 | 28 km | 1.9 mi | 1 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF3 | 100 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Nov 4, 1950 | EF3 | 54 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2019 | EF2 | 61 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 2017 | EF2 | 87 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 77 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2011 | EF2 | 66 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 29 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 74 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 2006 | EF2 | 56 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 84 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 129 km |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | — | — | 138 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PENOBSCOT (2,091 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | PENOBSCOT | 2,091 | 77 km |
| 2004 | CRYSTAL LAKE | 1,838 | 75 km |
| 2012 | HOPEWELL FIRE | 812 | 73 km |
| 2015 | RAZOR FIRE | 728 | 63 km |
| 2015 | PIPELINE 1 | 666 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 32°F (0°C) | 3.3 in |
Donaldson has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.7").