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Weather & Climate in Forest City, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 271 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 51.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 69.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,652 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.1°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,652 ft (504 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,848/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6527°N, 75.4692°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Wayne County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 50.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 37.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| 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: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 122 km | 3 km |
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 123 km | 4 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 120 km | 3 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 117 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 120 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 100 km | 8 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 139 km | 12 km |
| Feb 27, 2008 | 2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York | M2.7 | 148 km | 6 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey | M2.6 | 122 km | 6 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 123 km | 9 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey | M2.6 | 125 km | 8 km |
| Jan 15, 1992 | 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York | M2.5 | 118 km | 7 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 |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 216 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
173 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 95 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF3 | 48 km | 26.0 mi | 2 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 50 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 73 km | 62.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 86 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1981 | EF3 | 99 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2023 | EF2 | 48 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2019 | EF2 | 94 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 55 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 2017 | EF2 | 51 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF2 | 85 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2010 | EF2 | 9 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 82 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 81 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 2006 | EF2 | 82 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 40 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 42 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1996 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1992 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.5 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 |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 120 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | 16 MILE | 7,896 | 57 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 87 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 99 km |
| 2009 | PENOBSCOT | 2,091 | 60 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 94 km |
| 2004 | CRYSTAL LAKE | 1,838 | 63 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 94 km |
| 2020 | SEVEN PINES | 790 | 56 km |
| 2015 | RAZOR FIRE | 728 | 99 km |
| 2015 | PIPELINE 1 | 666 | 61 km |
| 2016 | BEAR TOWN | 649 | 56 km |
| 2024 | WHITEHOUSE | 607 | 89 km |
| 1999 | WORTHINGTO | 514 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.4 in |
Forest City has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 21°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.8").