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Weather & Climate in Highland Lakes, NJ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Highland Lakes experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°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 52.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 1,201 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,201 ft (366 m) |
| Area | 5.0 sq mi (12.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 912/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.1706°N, 74.4632°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Sussex County County |
| Nearest Airport | New York Stewart International (SWF) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 58 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 59 km | 4 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 83 km | 3 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 90 km | 8 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 75 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 49 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 34 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 57 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 40 km | 12 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 68 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey | M2.6 | 48 km | 8 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York | M2.6 | 75 km | 7 km |
| Oct 27, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York | M2.6 | 59 km | 5 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 57 km | 9 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey | M2.6 | 59 km | 6 km |
| Jan 15, 1992 | 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York | M2.5 | 27 km | 7 km |
| Feb 26, 1993 | 2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey | M2.5 | 150 km | 5 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 | 214 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 117 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
219 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 130 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 55 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 18, 1990 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 19 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 26, 1977 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 64 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 41 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 42 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2023 | EF2 | 80 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2010 | EF2 | 94 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 19 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 71 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2007 | EF2 | 67 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 51 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2001 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1998 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 63 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1996 | EF2 | 99 km | 2.0 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 | — | 122 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 66 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 29 km |
| 2016 | 16 MILE | 7,896 | 58 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 14 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 52 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 64 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 58 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 77 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 29 km |
| 2020 | SEVEN PINES | 790 | 72 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 737 | 89 km |
| 2016 | BEAR TOWN | 649 | 64 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 31 km |
| 2024 | WHITEHOUSE | 607 | 82 km |
| 1999 | WORTHINGTO | 514 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 4.0 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 4.6 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.8 in |
Highland Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (3.1").