Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Great Bend 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 891 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
891 ft (272 m)
Area
0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density
2,069/sq mi
Coordinates
41.9730°N, 75.7452°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Susquehanna County County
Nearest Airport
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 44 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
5 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
114 km
5 km
Feb 3, 2001
6 km W of Bath, New York
M3.2
142 km
0 km
May 18, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.1
150 km
9 km
Jun 10, 2025
10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania
M2.8
89 km
8 km
Feb 27, 2008
2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York
M2.7
139 km
6 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
244 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
177 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 90 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998
EF3
47 km
26.0 mi
2
May 31, 1998
EF3
35 km
62.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
82 km
5.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
92 km
20.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
65 km
2.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
78 km
15.0 mi
0
Apr 22, 2023
EF2
71 km
10.0 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
83 km
5.2 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
82 km
2.9 mi
0
Feb 25, 2017
EF2
80 km
12.5 mi
0
Jul 8, 2014
EF2
77 km
6.7 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
64 km
7.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
82 km
0.9 mi
0
Jul 23, 2010
EF2
46 km
25.7 mi
0
May 16, 2009
EF2
86 km
5.7 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
73 km
1.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
82 km
3.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
85 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 18, 1991
EF2
28 km
4.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1989
EF2
59 km
2.0 mi
2
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2016
16 MILE
7,896
99 km
2009
PENOBSCOT
2,091
87 km
2004
CRYSTAL LAKE
1,838
91 km
2020
SEVEN PINES
790
97 km
2015
PIPELINE 1
666
95 km
2016
BEAR TOWN
649
98 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)
3.1 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
67°F (19°C)
3.7 in
September
60°F (15°C)
3.7 in
October
49°F (9°C)
3.3 in
November
39°F (4°C)
3.6 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
3.2 in
Great Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.6").
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