Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nicholson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 68°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 46.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 82.7 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 1,005 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
45.2°F
16% below US avg
January Average
22°F (-6°C)
July Average
68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,005 ft (306 m)
Area
0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density
541/sq mi
Coordinates
41.6286°N, 75.7894°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Susquehanna County County
Nearest Airport
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 20 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.7"
23% above US avg
Snowfall82.7"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.09"
Driest Month (Feb)2.44"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
53.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
36.1 / 100
Community Resilience
38.3 / 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
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Apr 5, 2024
2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake
M4.8
135 km
3 km
Jan 16, 1994
2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
M4.6
146 km
5 km
Jan 16, 1994
0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
M4.2
146 km
5 km
Jun 17, 1991
7 km NE of Worcester, New York
M4.0
144 km
5 km
Apr 5, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M3.7
136 km
4 km
Aug 26, 2003
4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey
M3.1
127 km
3 km
Feb 3, 2009
1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey
M3.0
135 km
0 km
Jan 16, 1994
0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
M2.9
147 km
5 km
May 24, 2024
6 km E of Califon, New Jersey
M2.9
134 km
7 km
Apr 27, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.9
136 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2025
10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania
M2.8
74 km
8 km
May 10, 1993
1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania
M2.8
144 km
5 km
Aug 14, 2015
3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey
M2.6
141 km
8 km
May 1, 2024
1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.6
137 km
5 km
Apr 10, 2024
5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.6
137 km
9 km
Apr 5, 2024
6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey
M2.6
135 km
6 km
Jan 15, 1992
5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York
M2.5
143 km
7 km
Jan 8, 1995
1 km WSW of Montrose Manor, Pennsylvania
M2.5
149 km
5 km
May 7, 1994
2 km SW of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania
M2.5
148 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
238 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
190 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 fatalities, 98 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998
EF3
22 km
26.0 mi
2
May 31, 1998
EF3
58 km
62.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF3
68 km
20.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
74 km
2.0 mi
0
May 2, 1983
EF3
86 km
15.0 mi
0
Jul 26, 1981
EF3
97 km
3.3 mi
0
Mar 21, 1976
EF3
88 km
0.5 mi
0
Apr 22, 2023
EF2
74 km
10.0 mi
0
Apr 14, 2019
EF2
71 km
3.7 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
43 km
2.9 mi
0
Jun 13, 2018
EF2
75 km
5.2 mi
0
Feb 25, 2017
EF2
42 km
12.5 mi
0
Jul 8, 2014
EF2
58 km
6.7 mi
0
Apr 27, 2011
EF2
97 km
0.9 mi
0
Jul 23, 2010
EF2
35 km
25.7 mi
0
Jul 29, 2009
EF2
90 km
4.6 mi
0
Dec 1, 2006
EF2
66 km
20.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
59 km
2.0 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
59 km
3.0 mi
0
Nov 8, 1996
EF2
95 km
2.0 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
—
—
131 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
72 km
2009
PENOBSCOT
2,091
49 km
2004
CRYSTAL LAKE
1,838
52 km
2020
SEVEN PINES
790
65 km
2015
RAZOR FIRE
728
95 km
2015
PIPELINE 1
666
57 km
2016
BEAR TOWN
649
69 km
1999
WORTHINGTO
514
91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
22°F (-6°C)
2.5 in
Coldest
February
24°F (-4°C)
2.4 in
Driest
March
34°F (1°C)
2.9 in
April
44°F (7°C)
3.4 in
May
56°F (13°C)
3.9 in
June
64°F (18°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
July
68°F (20°C)
3.7 in
August
68°F (20°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
September
61°F (16°C)
3.6 in
October
50°F (10°C)
3.1 in
November
40°F (4°C)
3.4 in
December
29°F (-2°C)
2.9 in
Nicholson has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 22°F in January to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 39.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.4").