Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Lake Hiawatha, NJ

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

Lake Hiawatha 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 270 feet.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation270 ft (82 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density9,460/sq mi
Coordinates40.8815°N, 74.3826°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMorris County County
Nearest AirportNewark Liberty International (EWR)
17 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.2"
29% above US avg
Wettest Month (May) 4.76"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.19"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score92.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience89.5 / 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

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

Apr 5, 2024 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake M4.8 38 km 3 km
Apr 5, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M3.7 37 km 4 km
Aug 26, 2003 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey M3.1 68 km 3 km
Jan 9, 1992 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey M3.1 58 km 8 km
Oct 28, 1991 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut M3.0 71 km 10 km
Aug 3, 2025 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey M3.0 28 km 10 km
Feb 3, 2009 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey M3.0 12 km 0 km
May 24, 2024 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey M2.9 37 km 7 km
Apr 27, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.9 37 km 5 km
Aug 5, 2025 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey M2.8 33 km 12 km
Apr 12, 1991 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York M2.7 68 km 9 km
Jan 25, 2015 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania M2.6 146 km 2 km
May 1, 2024 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 30 km 5 km
Aug 22, 2000 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York M2.6 87 km 7 km
Oct 27, 2001 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York M2.6 36 km 5 km
Aug 14, 2015 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey M2.6 22 km 8 km
Apr 10, 2024 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 35 km 9 km
Apr 5, 2024 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey M2.6 39 km 6 km
Jul 5, 1996 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania M2.6 143 km 18 km
Jan 15, 1992 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York M2.5 44 km 7 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 195 km
1985 Gloria Category 2 98 mph 96 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

245 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 123 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 29, 2021 EF3 99 km 3.4 mi 0
May 31, 1998 EF3 76 km 20.0 mi 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 55 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 14, 1988 EF3 51 km 7.2 mi 0
Sep 26, 1977 EF3 58 km 5.9 mi 0
Mar 21, 1976 EF3 68 km 0.5 mi 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 29 km 0.4 mi 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 13 km 0.4 mi 0
Jun 24, 1960 EF3 76 km 12.9 mi 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 81 km 1.6 mi 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 81 km 2.1 mi 0
Feb 21, 2023 EF2 72 km 5.8 mi 0
Jul 29, 2021 EF2 76 km 6.3 mi 0
May 15, 2018 EF2 90 km 1.2 mi 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 47 km 7.4 mi 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 73 km 4.6 mi 0
Aug 8, 2007 EF2 36 km 5.9 mi 0
Jul 12, 2006 EF2 48 km 10.1 mi 0
May 27, 2001 EF2 59 km 1.5 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 108 km
1895 HIGH BRIDGE, NJ Earthquake 48 km
1840 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Earthquake 139 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1985 UNNAMED 23,000 41 km
2016 16 MILE 7,896 73 km
2024 JENNINGS CREEK 5,069 34 km
1992 UNNAMED 4,470 99 km
2023 JIMMYS WATER HOLE 3,585 97 km
2002 UNNAMED 2,824 98 km
2015 ROOSA GAP 2,747 84 km
2010 FORT DIX RANGE 1-14 2,615 97 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,224 95 km
2016 SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE 1,929 89 km
1997 UNNAMED 1,793 99 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,318 97 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,002 99 km
1992 UNNAMED 959 96 km
1986 LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR 906 95 km
1995 UNNAMED 877 97 km
1991 UNNAMED 860 99 km
1988 UNNAMED 833 46 km
2020 SEVEN PINES 790 85 km
2010 FORT DIX RANGE 34 741 100 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

Lake Hiawatha 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").

View full profile of Lake Hiawatha, NJ →