Weather & Climate in Norfolk, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Norfolk has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.0 inches. The area receives 77.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 311 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 44.1°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 311 ft (95 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 378/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7886°N, 74.9880°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Massena International-Richards Field (MSS) 12 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
137 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Jun 23, 2010 | 29 km NNE of Val-des-Monts, Canada | M5.4 | 128 km | 19 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M5.3 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Mar 14, 1996 | 7 km WNW of Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard, Canada | M4.5 | 141 km | 18 km |
| May 17, 1991 | 7 km WNW of Rigaud, Canada | M4.4 | 92 km | 18 km |
| May 24, 1997 | 6 km W of Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard, Canada | M4.2 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Oct 31, 1999 | 7 km SW of Morin-Heights, Canada | M4.2 | 129 km | 18 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 4 km N of Plantagenet, Canada | M4.1 | 87 km | 18 km |
| Nov 17, 1992 | 16 km ENE of Saint-André-Avellin, Canada | M4.0 | 109 km | 18 km |
| Feb 25, 2006 | 4 km NE of Thurso, Canada | M4.0 | 95 km | 11 km |
| Jul 30, 1993 | 1 km NE of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada | M3.9 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Mar 16, 2011 | 6 km ENE of Hawkesbury, Canada | M3.9 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Sep 18, 2011 | 1 km E of Thurso, Canada | M3.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Sep 23, 1993 | 11 km SE of La Conception, Canada | M3.8 | 145 km | 18 km |
| Jul 5, 1991 | 7 km WSW of Sainte-Martine, Canada | M3.8 | 99 km | 18 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Nov 16, 1993 | 5 km SSE of Saint-Édouard, Canada | M3.8 | 125 km | 17 km |
| Oct 6, 2000 | 1 km WSW of Ormstown, Canada | M3.8 | 85 km | 18 km |
| Nov 6, 2012 | Ontario-Quebec border region, Canada | M3.7 | 97 km | 11 km |
| Jan 9, 2006 | 2 km ESE of Franklin, Canada | M3.7 | 91 km | 13 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 55 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
16 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 4 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 15, 1986 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Sep 19, 1954 | EF2 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1952 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1993 | EF1 | 97 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF1 | 42 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1986 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF1 | 4 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1972 | EF1 | 40 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2024 | EF0 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2004 | EF0 | 63 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2004 | EF0 | 71 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2004 | EF0 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1993 | EF0 | 13 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 16, 1989 | EF0 | 100 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1988 | EF0 | 12 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1987 | EF0 | 43 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1908 | NOTRE DAME DE LA SALETTE | Meteorological | 15.0 m | 33 | 119 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.8 in |
Norfolk has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and March the driest (2.1").