Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°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 46.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 82.7 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 1,576 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average
22°F (-6°C)
July Average
68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,576 ft (480 m)
Area
0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density
74/sq mi
Coordinates
41.8882°N, 75.9594°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Susquehanna County County
Nearest Airport
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 40 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.7"
23% above US avg
Snowfall82.7"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.13"
Driest Month (Feb)2.56"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
53.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
36.1 / 100
Community Resilience
38.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
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
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.0.
Jun 17, 1991
7 km NE of Worcester, New York
M4.0
134 km
5 km
Feb 3, 2001
6 km W of Bath, New York
M3.2
129 km
0 km
Jun 10, 2025
10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania
M2.8
69 km
8 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
262 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
186 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 89 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998
EF3
31 km
26.0 mi
2
May 31, 1998
EF3
26 km
62.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
97 km
20.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
62 km
15.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
49 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 30, 1955
EF3
93 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 22, 2023
EF2
86 km
10.0 mi
0
Apr 14, 2019
EF2
86 km
3.7 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
63 km
5.2 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
72 km
2.9 mi
0
Feb 25, 2017
EF2
73 km
12.5 mi
0
Jul 8, 2014
EF2
57 km
6.7 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
75 km
7.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
69 km
0.9 mi
0
Jul 23, 2010
EF2
55 km
25.7 mi
0
May 16, 2009
EF2
94 km
5.7 mi
0
Dec 1, 2006
EF2
90 km
20.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
87 km
3.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
89 km
2.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
87 km
1.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
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
82 km
2020
SEVEN PINES
790
97 km
2015
PIPELINE 1
666
88 km
2016
BEAR TOWN
649
100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
22°F (-6°C)
2.6 in
Coldest
February
23°F (-5°C)
2.6 in
Driest
March
32°F (-0°C)
3.0 in
April
43°F (6°C)
3.6 in
May
55°F (13°C)
3.9 in
June
63°F (17°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
68°F (20°C)
3.8 in
Warmest
August
66°F (19°C)
3.6 in
September
59°F (15°C)
3.7 in
October
48°F (9°C)
3.3 in
November
38°F (3°C)
3.6 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
3.1 in
Forest Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.6").
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