Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Falling Waters experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°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 43.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 443 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-0°C)76°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average
54.2°F
0% below US avg
January Average
31°F (-0°C)
July Average
76°F (25°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
443 ft (135 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
1,892/sq mi
Coordinates
39.5638°N, 77.8875°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Washington County County
Nearest Airport
Eastern Wv Regional/Shepherd Field (MRB) 12 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall43.6"
15% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)3.94"
Driest Month (Feb)2.40"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
68.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
44.6 / 100
Community Resilience
73.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 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
53 km
7 km
Jun 13, 2019
9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania
M3.4
101 km
27 km
Jun 3, 2010
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M3.1
97 km
2 km
Jan 17, 2016
3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia
M3.0
28 km
5 km
Apr 24, 2009
1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.9
92 km
1 km
Sep 15, 2019
5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
M2.8
93 km
5 km
Oct 25, 2009
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.8
98 km
1 km
Mar 15, 1993
5 km W of Columbia, Maryland
M2.7
93 km
5 km
Oct 28, 1994
1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland
M2.7
114 km
—
Mar 11, 1995
0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania
M2.7
140 km
5 km
Jan 13, 1990
6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland
M2.6
88 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2021
2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland
M2.6
105 km
3 km
Jul 27, 1997
5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia
M2.5
126 km
19 km
Jun 25, 2001
8 km S of Remington, Virginia
M2.5
123 km
5 km
Sep 29, 1997
Virginia
M2.5
92 km
3 km
Mar 10, 1993
3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland
M2.5
94 km
5 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
2011
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
298 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
315 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 141 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 19, 1996
EF3
78 km
2.2 mi
0
May 22, 1983
EF3
57 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 7, 1980
EF3
85 km
1.5 mi
0
Apr 1, 1973
EF3
98 km
9.8 mi
0
Apr 16, 1961
EF3
63 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 5, 1952
EF3
82 km
17.5 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
38 km
2.9 mi
0
Nov 2, 2018
EF2
66 km
5.5 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
97 km
13.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
25 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
91 km
15.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
50 km
5.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
34 km
3.0 mi
0
Sep 24, 2001
EF2
80 km
5.0 mi
0
Jul 19, 1996
EF2
26 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 24, 1996
EF2
85 km
20.0 mi
0
Apr 30, 1994
EF2
33 km
6.0 mi
0
Sep 27, 1993
EF2
89 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 18, 1990
EF2
92 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 8, 1990
EF2
89 km
1.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: WAITES RUN (5,496 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
WAITES RUN
5,496
84 km
2011
SMITH RUN FIRE
1,908
87 km
2020
UNNAMED
1,572
96 km
2012
POINT 2
1,126
86 km
2014
BEAR DEN
945
74 km
2012
WOLF GAP
710
98 km
1984
UNNAMED
696
79 km
2001
SOUTH BRANCH
519
97 km
2005
UNNAMED
510
82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
31°F (-0°C)
2.6 in
Coldest
February
33°F (1°C)
2.4 in
Driest
March
42°F (5°C)
3.2 in
April
52°F (11°C)
3.3 in
May
62°F (17°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
June
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
July
76°F (25°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
73°F (23°C)
3.3 in
September
66°F (19°C)
3.2 in
October
54°F (12°C)
3.3 in
November
45°F (7°C)
3.2 in
December
35°F (2°C)
2.7 in
Falling Waters has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 31°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.4").