Weather & Climate in Great Bend, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Great Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.1 inches. The area receives 116.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 714 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 714 ft (218 m) |
| Area | 5.8 sq mi (15.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 163/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0168°N, 75.7002°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | St. Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Watertown International (ART) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 2023 | New York | M3.6 | 31 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 14 km W of Ellisburg, New York | M3.3 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 1997 | 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York | M3.2 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Feb 24, 2002 | 7 km WSW of Casselman, Canada | M3.1 | 148 km | 18 km |
| Mar 2, 1995 | 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York | M3.0 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Nov 7, 2002 | 13 km SSW of Belleville, Canada | M3.0 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Oct 13, 1997 | 18 km NW of Cranberry Lake, New York | M3.0 | 70 km | 4 km |
| Mar 7, 2008 | 7 km WSW of Casselman, Canada | M2.9 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Sep 4, 2004 | 3 km S of Massena, New York | M2.9 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 129 km | 16 km |
| Jul 10, 1997 | 8 km WNW of Cornwall, Canada | M2.9 | 133 km | 18 km |
| Oct 12, 1997 | 7 km SSW of Fort Covington Hamlet, New York | M2.9 | 135 km | 14 km |
| Jul 23, 1996 | 15 km NNE of Saranac Lake, New York | M2.8 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Jul 14, 2021 | 8 km WNW of Massena, New York | M2.8 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Mar 20, 2008 | 12 km S of Osgoode, Canada | M2.8 | 113 km | 6 km |
| Mar 14, 2021 | 19 km SW of Winchester, Canada | M2.7 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 3 km SSW of Massena, New York | M2.7 | 116 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
60 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 11 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF3 | 64 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 65 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF2 | 91 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1990 | EF2 | 99 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1986 | EF2 | 31 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 79 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 76 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2024 | EF1 | 49 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 77 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2021 | EF1 | 84 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 2021 | EF1 | 75 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 28 km | 12.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF1 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF1 | 99 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2012 | EF1 | 94 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 2011 | EF1 | 91 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2005 | EF1 | 32 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1994 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.8 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (4°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 in |
Great Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 20°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.1 inches, with October being the wettest month (5.1") and February the driest (2.8").