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Weather & Climate in McKnightstown, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McKnightstown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 74°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 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 635 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.3°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 293 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 635 ft (194 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 502/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.8735°N, 77.3302°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Adams County County |
| Nearest Airport | Gettysburg Regional (GTY) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 67.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 66.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
24 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 69 km | 7 km |
| Jun 13, 2019 | 9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania | M3.4 | 63 km | 27 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 39 km | 2 km |
| Jan 17, 2016 | 3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia | M3.0 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 33 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 36 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 39 km | 1 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 89 km | — |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 83 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 143 km | 2 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 83 km | 3 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 63 km | 5 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 |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 282 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 294 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
391 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 181 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 14, 2004 | EF3 | 78 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF3 | 51 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 1983 | EF3 | 21 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1980 | EF3 | 27 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 16, 1961 | EF3 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 5, 1952 | EF3 | 31 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 44 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 77 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Nov 2, 2018 | EF2 | 60 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2011 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 43 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 2004 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 56 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 17, 2004 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF2 | 34 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1996 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.9 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 51°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 44°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 3.2 in |
McKnightstown has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 29°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.9").