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Weather & Climate in Lancaster, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lancaster experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 40.7 inches. The area receives 95.4 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 672 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 48.8°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 672 ft (205 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,723/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.9006°N, 78.6688°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Erie County County |
| Nearest Airport | Buffalo Niagara International (BUF) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | 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: M3.8.
| Nov 26, 1999 | 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada | M3.8 | 94 km | 13 km |
| Feb 6, 2023 | 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York | M3.8 | 11 km | 6 km |
| Dec 25, 1998 | 23 km SE of Cobourg, Canada | M3.6 | 119 km | 18 km |
| Feb 3, 2001 | 6 km W of Bath, New York | M3.2 | 121 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2000 | 4 km ENE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada | M3.1 | 107 km | 18 km |
| May 8, 2018 | 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada | M3.0 | 96 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 1995 | 3 km NW of Amherst, New York | M3.0 | 17 km | 5 km |
| Aug 4, 2004 | 30 km SSW of Cobourg, Canada | M3.0 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jul 19, 2007 | 27 km S of Cobourg, Canada | M3.0 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2004 | 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York | M2.9 | 37 km | 6 km |
| Jun 5, 2009 | 4 km SSE of Attica, New York | M2.9 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Mar 28, 2005 | 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada | M2.8 | 68 km | 7 km |
| Mar 8, 2008 | 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York | M2.7 | 17 km | 6 km |
| Dec 21, 2009 | 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York | M2.7 | 58 km | 8 km |
| Mar 29, 2020 | 11 km N of Lyndonville, New York | M2.6 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 2022 | 5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York | M2.6 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2007 | 6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York | M2.6 | 146 km | 7 km |
| Sep 20, 2009 | 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada | M2.6 | 83 km | 4 km |
| Jul 11, 2017 | 11 km NNW of Barker, New York | M2.5 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1999 | New York | M2.5 | 69 km | 3 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
89 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 21 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 19, 1970 | EF3 | 31 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1967 | EF3 | 53 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1961 | EF3 | 89 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2024 | EF2 | 35 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2022 | EF2 | 42 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2017 | EF2 | 23 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 14, 2011 | EF2 | 80 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2010 | EF2 | 87 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 78 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF2 | 38 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1994 | EF2 | 84 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1993 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1992 | EF2 | 75 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1987 | EF2 | 9 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1972 | EF2 | 23 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1971 | EF2 | 3 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1969 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1968 | EF2 | 65 km | 31.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1961 | EF2 | 25 km | 7.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 2024 | EF1 | 94 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MOHAWK POOL (507 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | MOHAWK POOL | 507 | 33 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-4°C) | 2.8 in | |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 2.8 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in |
Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 25°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.3").