Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McGraw has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°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 48.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 117.3 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 1,140 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average
44.1°F
18% below US avg
January Average
20°F (-7°C)
July Average
67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days
246 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,140 ft (347 m)
Area
1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density
1,082/sq mi
Coordinates
42.5938°N, 76.0975°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Cortland County County
Nearest Airport
Ithaca Tompkins International (ITH) 20 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.5"
28% above US avg
Snowfall117.3"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.13"
Driest Month (Feb)2.52"
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
10 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
116 km
5 km
Apr 23, 2023
New York
M3.6
141 km
9 km
Jun 29, 2024
14 km W of Ellisburg, New York
M3.3
127 km
5 km
Feb 3, 2001
6 km W of Bath, New York
M3.2
110 km
0 km
Jul 31, 1997
0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York
M3.2
129 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2025
10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania
M2.8
124 km
8 km
Feb 27, 2008
2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York
M2.7
142 km
6 km
Apr 14, 2023
1 km W of Adams Center, New York
M2.6
141 km
6 km
Apr 11, 2007
6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York
M2.6
108 km
7 km
Jan 25, 1999
New York
M2.5
144 km
3 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
282 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
158 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 55 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 31, 1998
EF3
82 km
5.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
58 km
62.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
75 km
2.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
73 km
3.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
79 km
15.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
77 km
20.0 mi
1
Jun 2, 1969
EF3
67 km
17.5 mi
0
Aug 30, 1955
EF3
74 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 16, 2024
EF2
85 km
5.3 mi
0
Jul 8, 2014
EF2
58 km
2.5 mi
4
Aug 21, 2011
EF2
77 km
7.9 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
27 km
7.4 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
68 km
0.9 mi
0
May 16, 2009
EF2
20 km
5.7 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
41 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 28, 1990
EF2
64 km
2.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 1990
EF2
73 km
17.0 mi
0
Oct 14, 1989
EF2
29 km
2.0 mi
2
Sep 18, 1977
EF2
42 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1976
EF2
89 km
0.1 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
69 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
20°F (-7°C)
2.8 in
Coldest
February
22°F (-6°C)
2.5 in
Driest
March
31°F (-0°C)
3.1 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 (19°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
66°F (19°C)
3.3 in
September
58°F (15°C)
4.1 in
October
48°F (9°C)
3.4 in
November
37°F (3°C)
3.6 in
December
26°F (-3°C)
3.4 in
McGraw has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 20°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.5").