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Weather & Climate in Highland Falls, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highland Falls experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°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 51.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.7 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 200 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.2°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,391/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.3646°N, 73.9689°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Putnam County County |
| Nearest Airport | New York Stewart International (SWF) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 99 km | 4 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 116 km | 8 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 127 km | 3 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 138 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 135 km | 9 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 46 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 57 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 72 km | 0 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 99 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 135 km | 7 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 39 km | 12 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 147 km | 22 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 142 km | 16 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 147 km | 18 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 135 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 190 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 102 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 301 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 95 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 47 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 99 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 77 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 74 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 22, 2023 | EF2 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 28 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 60 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2007 | EF2 | 83 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 34 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1998 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | EF2 | 94 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 75 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | LONG ISLAND, NY | Meteorological | 0.3 m | — | 96 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 109 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 23 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 34 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 48 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 48 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 47 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 64 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 19 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 23 km |
| 2024 | WHITEHOUSE | 607 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 4.5 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.7 in |
Highland Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (3.1").