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Weather & Climate in Old Forge, NY

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

Old Forge has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 49.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 157.9 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 1,859 feet.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average41.6°F
23% below US avg
January Average16°F (-9°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,859 ft (567 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density201/sq mi
Coordinates43.7064°N, 74.9691°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyHerkimer County County
Nearest AirportGriffiss International (RME)
39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.8"
31% above US avg
Snowfall 157.9"
Wettest Month (Sep) 5.00"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score60.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability39.2 / 100
Community Resilience84.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
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

44 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Apr 20, 2002 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York M5.3 135 km 5 km
Jun 17, 1991 7 km NE of Worcester, New York M4.0 122 km 5 km
Apr 20, 2000 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York M3.8 63 km 5 km
Apr 8, 2003 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York M3.7 113 km 10 km
Apr 20, 2002 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York M3.7 134 km 5 km
Apr 23, 2023 New York M3.6 86 km 9 km
Jun 29, 2024 14 km W of Ellisburg, New York M3.3 109 km 5 km
Jul 31, 1997 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York M3.2 34 km 5 km
Aug 24, 2011 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York M3.2 120 km 5 km
Dec 13, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M3.2 144 km 10 km
May 24, 2002 6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York M3.1 136 km 10 km
Mar 11, 2020 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York M3.1 117 km 13 km
Jul 24, 2007 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York M3.1 141 km 15 km
May 18, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M3.1 144 km 9 km
Oct 13, 1997 18 km NW of Cranberry Lake, New York M3.0 73 km 4 km
Jun 25, 2002 6 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York M3.0 134 km 9 km
Mar 2, 1995 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York M3.0 73 km 4 km
Sep 4, 2004 3 km S of Massena, New York M2.9 133 km 4 km
Sep 29, 1994 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York M2.9 67 km 16 km
Mar 9, 1999 7 km NW of Dannemora, New York M2.9 150 km 10 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 268 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

88 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 12 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 7, 2023 EF3 52 km 16.0 mi 0
May 2, 1983 EF3 41 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF2 69 km 5.3 mi 0
Jul 8, 2014 EF2 96 km 2.5 mi 4
Jul 23, 1990 EF2 81 km 17.0 mi 0
Aug 15, 1986 EF2 80 km 0.2 mi 1
Aug 28, 1973 EF2 48 km 2.3 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 43 km 0.7 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 66 km 6.5 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 49 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 69 km 4.6 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 60 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 95 km 1.4 mi 1
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 8 km 4.1 mi 0
Jul 16, 2024 EF1 89 km 8.4 mi 0
Jul 10, 2024 EF1 72 km 2.2 mi 0
Jun 22, 2024 EF1 91 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 7, 2023 EF1 83 km 1.3 mi 0
Aug 7, 2023 EF1 65 km 1.4 mi 0
Jul 8, 2021 EF1 57 km 2.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 16°F (-9°C) 3.9 in Coldest
February 16°F (-9°C) 3.1 in Driest
March 26°F (-4°C) 3.7 in
April 38°F (3°C) 3.8 in
May 52°F (11°C) 4.3 in
June 60°F (15°C) 4.3 in
July 65°F (18°C) 4.5 in Warmest
August 62°F (17°C) 4.7 in
September 55°F (13°C) 5.0 in Wettest
October 44°F (7°C) 4.3 in
November 33°F (0°C) 4.8 in
December 20°F (-7°C) 4.4 in

Old Forge has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 16°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.7 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.0") and February the driest (3.1").

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