All Countries
Weather & Climate in Essex, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Essex experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 293 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 47.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 39 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
77°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 55.2°F |
| 2% above US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 77°F (25°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 39 ft (12 m) |
| Area | 9.3 sq mi (24.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,392/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3014°N, 76.4444°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Baltimore city County |
| Nearest Airport | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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
27 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 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 83 km | 7 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 98 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 98 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 99 km | 1 km |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 13 km | — |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 103 km | 2 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 23 km | 3 km |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 40 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 | 183 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | — | 280 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 298 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 238 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 196 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
473 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 383 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 92 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 99 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 62 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 51 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 74 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1980 | EF3 | 86 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1979 | EF3 | 80 km | 17.9 mi | 1 |
| Apr 1, 1973 | EF3 | 95 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 19 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF3 | 72 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 52 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 84 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 63 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 38 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 86 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 99 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2004 | EF2 | 84 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 | — | — | 120 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
4 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 | 100 km |
| 1991 | KENTIS WEST | 1,273 | 89 km |
| 1988 | BOMBAY ISLAND | 1,020 | 88 km |
| 1985 | BOMBAY HOOK | 669 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 36°F (2°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 77°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 76°F (25°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in |
Essex has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 33°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.9").