Weather & Climate in Misericordia University, PA

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

Misericordia University experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 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 38.7 inches. The area receives 45.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,253 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	51.3°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,253 ft (382 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density	4,835/sq mi
Coordinates	41.3461°N, 75.9710°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Luzerne County County
Nearest Airport	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.7"

2% above US avg

Snowfall 45.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.21"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.40"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	91.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.8 / 100
Community Resilience	78.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
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	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	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: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	125 km	3 km
Jan 16, 1994	2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.6	113 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.2	113 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	126 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	110 km	3 km
Nov 14, 1997	0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania	M3.0	136 km	5 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	132 km	0 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	126 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M2.9	114 km	5 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	124 km	7 km
Jun 10, 2025	10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania	M2.8	63 km	8 km
May 10, 1993	1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania	M2.8	111 km	5 km
Mar 11, 1995	0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania	M2.7	143 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	125 km	6 km
Oct 28, 1996	2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania	M2.6	121 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	127 km	9 km
May 1, 2024	1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	129 km	5 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	134 km	8 km
Jan 18, 1994	3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania	M2.6	130 km	5 km
Jan 8, 1995	1 km WSW of Montrose Manor, Pennsylvania	M2.5	116 km	5 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	239 km

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

Tornado History

238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 104 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998	EF3	31 km	26.0 mi	2
May 31, 1998	EF3	97 km	8.3 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	73 km	20.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	82 km	62.0 mi	0
May 2, 1983	EF3	86 km	2.0 mi	0
May 2, 1983	EF3	96 km	15.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1981	EF3	72 km	3.3 mi	0
Mar 21, 1976	EF3	78 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 14, 2019	EF2	40 km	3.7 mi	0
Jun 13, 2018	EF2	15 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 13, 2018	EF2	73 km	5.2 mi	0
Feb 25, 2017	EF2	20 km	12.5 mi	0
Jul 8, 2014	EF2	48 km	6.7 mi	0
Jul 23, 2010	EF2	62 km	25.7 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	76 km	4.6 mi	0
Dec 1, 2006	EF2	31 km	20.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	64 km	2.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	67 km	3.0 mi	0
Nov 8, 1996	EF2	71 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1992	EF2	52 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
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	119 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	16 MILE	7,896	71 km
2009	PENOBSCOT	2,091	19 km
2004	CRYSTAL LAKE	1,838	24 km
2020	SEVEN PINES	790	58 km
2015	RAZOR FIRE	728	68 km
2015	PIPELINE 1	666	35 km
2016	BEAR TOWN	649	65 km
1999	WORTHINGTO	514	82 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	2.4 in
February	25°F (-4°C)	2.4 in	Coldest, Driest
March	34°F (1°C)	2.8 in
April	45°F (7°C)	3.4 in
May	56°F (13°C)	3.9 in
June	64°F (18°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	3.8 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	3.6 in
September	61°F (16°C)	3.6 in
October	50°F (10°C)	3.0 in
November	40°F (4°C)	3.4 in
December	30°F (-1°C)	2.8 in

Misericordia University has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 25°F in February to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.4").

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