Weather & Climate in Hancock, NY

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Hancock 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 36. The city sits at an elevation of 908 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	908 ft (277 m)
Area	1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density	558/sq mi
Coordinates	41.9530°N, 75.2821°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Wayne County County
Nearest Airport	Sullivan County International (MSV) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 51.4"

35% above US avg

Snowfall 69.2"

Wettest Month (May) 4.21"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.76"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
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

26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	146 km	3 km
Jun 17, 1991	7 km NE of Worcester, New York	M4.0	90 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	147 km	4 km
Dec 13, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M3.2	119 km	10 km
May 18, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M3.1	118 km	9 km
Jul 24, 2007	12 km SSW of Altamont, New York	M3.1	120 km	15 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	136 km	0 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	145 km	7 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	147 km	5 km
Oct 21, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M2.9	119 km	7 km
Jun 10, 2025	10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania	M2.8	123 km	8 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	147 km	12 km
Aug 27, 2011	5 km WSW of Altamont, New York	M2.8	127 km	22 km
Mar 22, 2009	9 km SW of Altamont, New York	M2.8	122 km	16 km
Aug 25, 2011	5 km WSW of Altamont, New York	M2.7	127 km	18 km
Feb 18, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M2.7	119 km	9 km
Feb 20, 2009	15 km SSW of Altamont, New York	M2.7	120 km	8 km
Feb 27, 2008	2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York	M2.7	112 km	6 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	146 km	8 km
Aug 22, 2000	2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York	M2.6	149 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	205 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

153 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 71 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998	EF3	74 km	26.0 mi	2
May 31, 1998	EF3	73 km	62.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	66 km	5.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	74 km	20.0 mi	0
Jul 14, 1988	EF3	93 km	7.2 mi	0
Apr 22, 2023	EF2	34 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 2018	EF2	92 km	2.9 mi	0
Feb 25, 2017	EF2	88 km	12.5 mi	0
Apr 28, 2011	EF2	78 km	7.4 mi	0
Jul 23, 2010	EF2	32 km	25.7 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	94 km	7.4 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	70 km	2.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	79 km	1.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	66 km	3.0 mi	0
Sep 18, 1991	EF2	28 km	4.0 mi	0
Oct 14, 1989	EF2	73 km	2.0 mi	2
Aug 28, 1988	EF2	78 km	1.5 mi	0
Oct 1, 1986	EF2	69 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 26, 1986	EF2	78 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 1976	EF2	84 km	0.1 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	—	—	147 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	16 MILE	7,896	85 km
2015	ROOSA GAP	2,747	80 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,224	87 km
2009	PENOBSCOT	2,091	97 km
2016	SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE	1,929	84 km
2004	CRYSTAL LAKE	1,838	100 km
2006	CHERRYTOWN FIRE	943	77 km
2020	SEVEN PINES	790	88 km
2015	PIPELINE 1	666	98 km
2016	BEAR TOWN	649	86 km
2024	WHITEHOUSE	607	69 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)	3.4 in
April	43°F (6°C)	3.7 in
May	54°F (12°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
June	62°F (17°C)	4.2 in
July	67°F (19°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	4.1 in
September	59°F (15°C)	3.7 in
October	49°F (9°C)	3.6 in
November	38°F (4°C)	4.0 in
December	28°F (-2°C)	3.5 in

Hancock has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 21°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.8").

View full profile of Hancock, NY →