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Weather & Climate in Galena, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Galena enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 57°F (14°C). Winters average 36°F in January while summers reach 78°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 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 13.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 68 feet.
Temperature
36°F Jan (2°C)
78°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 57.1°F |
| 6% above US avg | |
| January Average | 36°F (2°C) |
| July Average | 78°F (26°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 68 ft (21 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,070/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3426°N, 75.8787°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cecil County County |
| Nearest Airport | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall (BWI) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 41.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 58.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 60.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
26 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 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 132 km | 7 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 37 km | 10 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 125 km | 2 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 | 127 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 126 km | 1 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 62 km | — |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 75 km | 2 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 72 km | 3 km |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 87 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 92 mph | 284 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 259 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 158 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | — | 283 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 253 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 224 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 159 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
372 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 301 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 68 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF3 | 66 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 44 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 45 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF3 | 73 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Nov 4, 1950 | EF3 | 98 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 83 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 48 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 42 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2019 | EF2 | 91 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 90 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 58 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Feb 24, 2016 | EF2 | 75 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2004 | EF2 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2004 | EF2 | 58 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2002 | EF2 | 36 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 67 km | 7.0 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 | — | — | 77 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SLAU BCH 2 (1,578 acres, 1988).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1988 | SLAU BCH 2 | 1,578 | 71 km |
| 2020 | SPLIT DITCH | 1,518 | 67 km |
| 2020 | BIG TIMBER | 1,434 | 90 km |
| 2014 | RAILROAD | 1,431 | 67 km |
| 1991 | KENTIS WEST | 1,273 | 41 km |
| 2002 | SLAUGHTERBEACH | 1,228 | 71 km |
| 2004 | WUI PHRAG RX B | 1,030 | 80 km |
| 1988 | BOMBAY ISLAND | 1,020 | 40 km |
| 2012 | HOPEWELL FIRE | 812 | 98 km |
| 1985 | BOMBAY HOOK | 669 | 41 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | |
| February | 34°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 43°F (6°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 78°F (26°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 47°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 3.6 in |
Galena has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 34°F in February to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.8").