Weather & Climate in Lincoln, DE

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

Lincoln enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. The area gets 293 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 43.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 46 feet.

Temperature

37°F Jan (3°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)

Annual Average	57.6°F
	7% above US avg
January Average	37°F (3°C)
July Average	79°F (26°C)
Sunny Days	293 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	46 ft (14 m)
Area	2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²)
Population Density	581/sq mi
Coordinates	38.8678°N, 75.4225°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Sussex County County
Nearest Airport	Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional (SBY) 37 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 43.9"

15% above US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.29"

Driest Month (Feb) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median	41.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	94.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	70.4 / 100
Community Resilience	59.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

11 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.2.

Oct 23, 1990	3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey	M3.2	72 km	10 km
Jul 1, 2009	3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey	M2.8	87 km	5 km
Mar 15, 1993	5 km W of Columbia, Maryland	M2.7	134 km	5 km
Oct 28, 1994	1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland	M2.7	112 km	—
Jan 25, 2015	4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania	M2.6	127 km	2 km
Jan 13, 1990	6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland	M2.6	140 km	5 km
Jun 25, 2021	2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland	M2.6	121 km	3 km
Jul 5, 1996	2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania	M2.6	116 km	18 km
Feb 9, 2023	29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia	M2.6	98 km	11 km
Mar 10, 1993	3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland	M2.5	132 km	5 km
Feb 26, 1993	2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey	M2.5	120 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2014	Arthur	Category 1	92 mph	219 km
2012	Sandy	Category 2	92 mph	203 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	75 mph	93 km
1999	Floyd	Category 1	—	238 km
1998	Bonnie	Category 1	86 mph	260 km
1993	Emily	Category 3	115 mph	248 km
1991	Bob	Category 3	115 mph	200 km
1986	Charley	Category 1	81 mph	164 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	96 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

204 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 116 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Apr 1, 2023	EF3	23 km	14.3 mi	1
Sep 1, 2021	EF3	91 km	12.4 mi	0
Apr 28, 2002	EF3	91 km	18.0 mi	0
Apr 28, 1961	EF3	90 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	55 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	27 km	35.8 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	86 km	3.8 mi	0
Apr 15, 2019	EF2	36 km	6.2 mi	0
Jul 23, 2017	EF2	81 km	2.4 mi	0
Sep 28, 2004	EF2	92 km	5.0 mi	0
May 18, 1995	EF2	50 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 27, 1994	EF2	99 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 27, 1994	EF2	74 km	4.0 mi	0
Sep 27, 1993	EF2	79 km	10.0 mi	0
Aug 21, 1993	EF2	99 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 31, 1992	EF2	19 km	4.0 mi	0
May 10, 1990	EF2	76 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 17, 1988	EF2	95 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 21, 1987	EF2	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1984	EF2	16 km	1.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1840	PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA	Earthquake	—	—	105 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	BESTPITCH	7,743	73 km
2004	RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH	5,678	78 km
2014	BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14	5,433	77 km
2005	MARSH RX-FWS	4,380	74 km
2007	GUINEA MARSH	4,173	72 km
2009	DOCTORS CREEK	3,686	72 km
1999	FB R O C I	3,525	77 km
2019	MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT	3,197	76 km
2011	COMPARTMENT J	2,775	76 km
2005	ISLAND CREEK	2,729	73 km
2004	UNNAMED	2,156	73 km
1992	UNNAMED	2,038	72 km
2005	VEGETATION RESEARCH	1,926	70 km
2011	THOROFARE	1,850	71 km
1987	UNNAMED	1,692	77 km
2004	ROBBINS FIRE	1,612	79 km
1988	SLAU BCH 2	1,578	12 km
2020	SPLIT DITCH	1,518	58 km
2004	BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION	1,518	77 km
2020	BIG TIMBER	1,434	97 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	37°F (3°C)	3.8 in
February	36°F (2°C)	3.1 in	Coldest, Driest
March	44°F (7°C)	4.3 in
April	53°F (12°C)	3.5 in
May	63°F (17°C)	4.1 in
June	72°F (22°C)	3.5 in
July	79°F (26°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	75°F (24°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
September	69°F (20°C)	3.9 in
October	57°F (14°C)	3.4 in
November	48°F (9°C)	3.3 in
December	39°F (4°C)	3.5 in

Lincoln has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 36°F in February to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (3.1").

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