Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Marathon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 41.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,010 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average
22°F (-6°C)
July Average
67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
246 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,010 ft (308 m)
Area
1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²)
Population Density
895/sq mi
Coordinates
42.4448°N, 76.0362°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Cortland County County
Nearest Airport
Ithaca Tompkins International (ITH) 22 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.7"
10% above US avg
Wettest Month (Jun)4.06"
Driest Month (Feb)2.48"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
51.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
37.2 / 100
Community Resilience
86.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.0.
Jun 17, 1991
7 km NE of Worcester, New York
M4.0
113 km
5 km
Jun 29, 2024
14 km W of Ellisburg, New York
M3.3
144 km
5 km
Feb 3, 2001
6 km W of Bath, New York
M3.2
112 km
0 km
Jul 31, 1997
0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York
M3.2
142 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2025
10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania
M2.8
111 km
8 km
Feb 27, 2008
2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York
M2.7
140 km
6 km
Apr 11, 2007
6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York
M2.6
124 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
274 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
161 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 65 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998
EF3
92 km
26.0 mi
2
May 31, 1998
EF3
77 km
5.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
43 km
62.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
94 km
20.0 mi
1
May 2, 1983
EF3
90 km
3.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
64 km
2.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
70 km
15.0 mi
0
Jun 2, 1969
EF3
82 km
17.5 mi
0
Aug 30, 1955
EF3
74 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 16, 2024
EF2
96 km
5.3 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
97 km
5.2 mi
0
Jul 8, 2014
EF2
69 km
2.5 mi
4
Aug 21, 2011
EF2
92 km
7.9 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
25 km
7.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
62 km
0.9 mi
0
May 16, 2009
EF2
33 km
5.7 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
41 km
1.0 mi
0
Sep 18, 1991
EF2
85 km
4.0 mi
0
Aug 28, 1990
EF2
69 km
2.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 1990
EF2
85 km
17.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: DRY MARSH (1,018 acres, 2010).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2010
DRY MARSH
1,018
83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
22°F (-6°C)
2.6 in
Coldest
February
23°F (-5°C)
2.5 in
Driest
March
32°F (-0°C)
3.0 in
April
43°F (6°C)
3.4 in
May
55°F (13°C)
3.6 in
June
63°F (17°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
67°F (20°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
66°F (19°C)
3.3 in
September
59°F (15°C)
3.9 in
October
48°F (9°C)
3.2 in
November
38°F (3°C)
3.5 in
December
27°F (-3°C)
3.2 in
Marathon has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.5").
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