Weather & Climate in New York, NY

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

New York experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 279 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 57.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 6.4 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. 66% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 75 feet.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	55.4°F
	3% above US avg
January Average	41°F (5°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	279 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	75 ft (23 m)
Area	468.5 sq mi (1,213.4 km²)
Population Density	28,344/sq mi
Coordinates	40.6627°N, 73.9387°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Kings County County
Nearest Airport	John F Kennedy International (JFK) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 57.1"

50% above US avg

Snowfall 6.4"

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.45"

Driest Month (Feb) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median	43.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	65.9%
Unhealthy Days	3

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	99.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	96.5 / 100
Community Resilience	12.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively High
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very High
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Very High
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	69 km	3 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	68 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	99 km	3 km
Jan 9, 1992	4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey	M3.1	48 km	8 km
Oct 28, 1991	3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut	M3.0	55 km	10 km
Aug 3, 2025	0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey	M3.0	23 km	10 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	55 km	0 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	69 km	7 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	68 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	40 km	12 km
Apr 12, 1991	2 km ENE of North Castle, New York	M2.7	59 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2014	6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut	M2.7	143 km	4 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	55 km	8 km
May 1, 2024	1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	63 km	5 km
Oct 27, 2001	1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York	M2.6	15 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	66 km	9 km
Aug 22, 2000	2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York	M2.6	88 km	7 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	70 km	6 km
Jan 15, 1992	5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York	M2.5	67 km	7 km
Feb 26, 1993	2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey	M2.5	122 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2021	Henri	Category 1	75 mph	287 km
2014	Arthur	Category 1	81 mph	284 km
2012	Sandy	Category 1	92 mph	270 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	75 mph	299 km
1991	Bob	Category 2	109 mph	153 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	54 km

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

Tornado History

202 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 116 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 14, 1988	EF3	89 km	7.2 mi	0
Sep 26, 1977	EF3	59 km	5.9 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	69 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	50 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 24, 1960	EF3	83 km	12.9 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	63 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	68 km	2.1 mi	0
Feb 21, 2023	EF2	78 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 29, 2021	EF2	92 km	6.3 mi	0
May 15, 2018	EF2	96 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	89 km	7.4 mi	0
Aug 8, 2007	EF2	15 km	5.9 mi	0
Jul 12, 2006	EF2	46 km	10.1 mi	0
May 27, 2001	EF2	48 km	1.5 mi	0
Sep 7, 1998	EF2	22 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 10, 1989	EF2	87 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 10, 1989	EF2	99 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 17, 1988	EF2	83 km	4.5 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1964	LONG ISLAND, NY	Meteorological	0.3 m	—	72 km
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	80 km
1840	PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA	Earthquake	—	—	144 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	UNNAMED	23,000	61 km
1995	GREENWOOD STATE FOREST	21,271	96 km
1992	FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR	5,093	94 km
2024	JENNINGS CREEK	5,069	65 km
1992	POWER PLANT	4,928	95 km
1992	UNNAMED	4,470	88 km
2023	JIMMYS WATER HOLE	3,585	82 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,824	87 km
2010	FORT DIX RANGE 1-14	2,615	88 km
1997	UNNAMED	1,793	88 km
2002	JAKES BRANCH	1,364	86 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,318	86 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,280	98 km
1998	UNNAMED	1,118	98 km
2012	CRESCENT BOW FIRE	1,068	97 km
1997	UNNAMED	1,042	96 km
2015	WOODMANSIE FIRE	1,003	98 km
2002	UNNAMED	1,002	87 km
2004	UNNAMED	992	99 km
2003	UNNAMED	974	97 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	41°F (5°C)	3.6 in
February	34°F (1°C)	3.1 in	Coldest, Driest
March	41°F (5°C)	4.1 in
April	51°F (10°C)	3.9 in
May	61°F (16°C)	4.2 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.4 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.3 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
September	67°F (19°C)	3.8 in
October	56°F (13°C)	3.5 in
November	47°F (8°C)	3.9 in
December	37°F (3°C)	3.7 in

New York has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 34°F in February to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.1").

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