Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Monticello experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 271 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 51.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 57.9 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 1,512 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
46.0°F
15% below US avg
January Average
23°F (-5°C)
July Average
69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
271 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,512 ft (461 m)
Area
4.0 sq mi (10.3 km²)
Population Density
1,773/sq mi
Coordinates
41.6525°N, 74.6878°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Sullivan County County
Nearest Airport
Sullivan County International (MSV) 7 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall51.9"
37% above US avg
Snowfall57.9"
Wettest Month (May)4.57"
Driest Month (Feb)3.11"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
78.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
48.0 / 100
Community Resilience
56.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Apr 5, 2024
2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake
M4.8
107 km
3 km
Jun 17, 1991
7 km NE of Worcester, New York
M4.0
109 km
5 km
Apr 5, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M3.7
107 km
4 km
Dec 13, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.2
113 km
10 km
Aug 26, 2003
4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey
M3.1
122 km
3 km
Jan 9, 1992
4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey
M3.1
146 km
8 km
May 18, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.1
113 km
9 km
Jul 24, 2007
12 km SSW of Altamont, New York
M3.1
116 km
15 km
Aug 3, 2025
0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey
M3.0
104 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
113 km
10 km
Feb 3, 2009
1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey
M3.0
88 km
0 km
Oct 21, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M2.9
113 km
7 km
Apr 27, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.9
107 km
5 km
May 24, 2024
6 km E of Califon, New Jersey
M2.9
105 km
7 km
Aug 5, 2025
1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
M2.8
89 km
12 km
Aug 27, 2011
5 km WSW of Altamont, New York
M2.8
125 km
22 km
Mar 22, 2009
9 km SW of Altamont, New York
M2.8
119 km
16 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
103 km
9 km
Aug 25, 2011
5 km WSW of Altamont, New York
M2.7
125 km
18 km
Feb 18, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M2.7
113 km
9 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
1991
Bob
Category 2
104 mph
257 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
159 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
168 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 fatalities, 79 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 31, 1998
EF3
52 km
20.0 mi
0
Jul 14, 1988
EF3
38 km
7.2 mi
0
Mar 21, 1976
EF3
85 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 16, 1974
EF3
97 km
49.1 mi
0
May 28, 1973
EF3
96 km
0.4 mi
0
May 28, 1973
EF3
89 km
0.4 mi
0
Apr 22, 2023
EF2
26 km
10.0 mi
0
May 15, 2018
EF2
85 km
1.2 mi
0
Jul 23, 2010
EF2
57 km
25.7 mi
0
Jul 29, 2009
EF2
46 km
7.4 mi
0
Jul 29, 2009
EF2
93 km
4.6 mi
0
Jul 12, 2006
EF2
94 km
10.1 mi
0
Jul 21, 2003
EF2
85 km
1.5 mi
0
May 18, 2000
EF2
62 km
0.2 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
56 km
2.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
51 km
3.0 mi
0
May 29, 1995
EF2
97 km
15.0 mi
0
Sep 18, 1991
EF2
71 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
88 km
0.5 mi
0
Oct 1, 1986
EF2
70 km
0.1 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
—
—
111 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1985
UNNAMED
23,000
70 km
2016
16 MILE
7,896
63 km
2024
JENNINGS CREEK
5,069
62 km
2015
ROOSA GAP
2,747
22 km
2008
UNNAMED
2,224
35 km
2016
SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE
1,929
29 km
2006
CHERRYTOWN FIRE
943
35 km
1988
UNNAMED
833
65 km
2020
SEVEN PINES
790
76 km
2016
BEAR TOWN
649
69 km
2016
SHERWOOD
642
72 km
2024
WHITEHOUSE
607
34 km
1999
WORTHINGTO
514
82 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
23°F (-5°C)
3.3 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-4°C)
3.1 in
Driest
March
33°F (1°C)
3.6 in
April
44°F (7°C)
4.1 in
May
55°F (13°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
June
64°F (18°C)
4.4 in
July
69°F (20°C)
4.2 in
Warmest
August
67°F (20°C)
4.2 in
September
60°F (15°C)
4.1 in
October
49°F (9°C)
3.6 in
November
39°F (4°C)
4.1 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
3.7 in
Monticello has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 23°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.1").