Weather & Climate in Dundalk, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dundalk enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.7 inches. The area receives 19.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 45. 66% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 23 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 59.1°F |
| 9% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 23 ft (7 m) |
| Area | 17.4 sq mi (45.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,999/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.2668°N, 76.4965°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Baltimore city County |
| Nearest Airport | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 45.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 65.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 5 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 74.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| 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: M4.6.
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 79 km | 7 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 100 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 100 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 101 km | 1 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 10 km | - |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 19 km | 3 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 37 km | 5 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 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 184 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | - | 277 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | - | 299 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 236 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 198 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
481 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 482 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF4 | 99 km | 38.0 mi | 3 |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 93 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 96 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 56 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 49 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 80 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1980 | EF3 | 86 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 74 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 89 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 13 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 91 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF3 | 72 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 72 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 47 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 88 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 59 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 36 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2004 | EF2 | 90 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | - | - | 126 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION (1,518 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 98 km |
| 1991 | KENTIS WEST | 1,273 | 93 km |
| 1988 | BOMBAY ISLAND | 1,020 | 93 km |
| 1985 | BOMBAY HOOK | 669 | 93 km |
| 2001 | A 1 M 2 | 594 | 99 km |
| 2005 | A 1 | 561 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 58°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 4.7 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 in | |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 61°F (16°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 in |
Dundalk has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 37°F in January to 82°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.8").