Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kinnelon experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°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 49.2 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 737 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
51.8°F
4% below US avg
January Average
29°F (-2°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
737 ft (225 m)
Area
19.2 sq mi (49.7 km²)
Population Density
553/sq mi
Coordinates
40.9820°N, 74.3859°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Morris County County
Nearest Airport
Newark Liberty International (EWR) 23 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall49.2"
29% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)4.76"
Driest Month (Feb)3.19"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
92.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
89.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Very High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
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
45 km
3 km
Apr 5, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M3.7
44 km
4 km
Aug 26, 2003
4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey
M3.1
74 km
3 km
Jan 9, 1992
4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey
M3.1
69 km
8 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
69 km
10 km
Aug 3, 2025
0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey
M3.0
32 km
10 km
Feb 3, 2009
1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey
M3.0
17 km
0 km
May 24, 2024
6 km E of Califon, New Jersey
M2.9
43 km
7 km
Apr 27, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.9
45 km
5 km
Aug 5, 2025
1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
M2.8
29 km
12 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
64 km
9 km
Aug 14, 2015
3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey
M2.6
30 km
8 km
Aug 22, 2000
2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York
M2.6
80 km
7 km
Oct 27, 2001
1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York
M2.6
41 km
5 km
May 1, 2024
1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.6
37 km
5 km
Apr 10, 2024
5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.6
42 km
9 km
Apr 5, 2024
6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey
M2.6
46 km
6 km
Jan 15, 1992
5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York
M2.5
34 km
7 km
Feb 26, 1993
2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey
M2.5
132 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
199 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
98 mph
101 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
241 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 129 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 31, 1998
EF3
70 km
20.0 mi
0
Oct 18, 1990
EF3
65 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 14, 1988
EF3
41 km
7.2 mi
0
Sep 26, 1977
EF3
69 km
5.9 mi
0
Mar 21, 1976
EF3
67 km
0.5 mi
0
May 28, 1973
EF3
22 km
0.4 mi
0
May 28, 1973
EF3
32 km
0.4 mi
0
Jun 24, 1960
EF3
86 km
12.9 mi
0
Apr 1, 2023
EF2
92 km
2.1 mi
0
Apr 1, 2023
EF2
93 km
1.6 mi
0
Apr 1, 2023
EF2
100 km
0.1 mi
0
Feb 21, 2023
EF2
83 km
5.8 mi
0
Jul 29, 2021
EF2
85 km
6.3 mi
0
May 15, 2018
EF2
82 km
1.2 mi
0
Jul 29, 2009
EF2
73 km
4.6 mi
0
Jul 29, 2009
EF2
37 km
7.4 mi
0
Aug 8, 2007
EF2
46 km
5.9 mi
0
Jul 12, 2006
EF2
44 km
10.1 mi
0
May 27, 2001
EF2
70 km
1.5 mi
0
May 18, 2000
EF2
99 km
0.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
3 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
—
110 km
1895
HIGH BRIDGE, NJ
Earthquake
—
—
55 km
1840
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
Earthquake
—
—
148 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1985
UNNAMED
23,000
33 km
2016
16 MILE
7,896
68 km
2024
JENNINGS CREEK
5,069
23 km
2015
ROOSA GAP
2,747
73 km
2008
UNNAMED
2,224
83 km
2016
SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE
1,929
78 km
2006
CHERRYTOWN FIRE
943
97 km
1988
UNNAMED
833
36 km
2020
SEVEN PINES
790
81 km
1985
UNNAMED
737
68 km
2016
BEAR TOWN
649
74 km
2016
SHERWOOD
642
33 km
1999
WORTHINGTO
514
61 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
29°F (-2°C)
4.0 in
Coldest
February
30°F (-1°C)
3.2 in
Driest
March
38°F (3°C)
4.2 in
April
49°F (9°C)
4.4 in
May
59°F (15°C)
4.8 in
Wettest
June
67°F (20°C)
4.4 in
July
75°F (24°C)
4.8 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
4.3 in
September
64°F (18°C)
4.8 in
October
52°F (11°C)
4.1 in
November
43°F (6°C)
4.4 in
December
33°F (0°C)
3.9 in
Kinnelon has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 29°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (3.2").