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Weather & Climate in Otter Lake, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Otter Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 50.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,521 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 41.3°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 259 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,521 ft (464 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 232/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.5927°N, 75.1174°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lewis County County |
| Nearest Airport | Griffiss International (RME) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Apr 23, 2023 | New York | M3.6 | 79 km | 9 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 14 km W of Ellisburg, New York | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jul 31, 1997 | 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York | M3.2 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 124 km | 13 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 140 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 137 km | 15 km |
| Mar 2, 1995 | 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York | M3.0 | 90 km | 4 km |
| Oct 13, 1997 | 18 km NW of Cranberry Lake, New York | M3.0 | 86 km | 4 km |
| Sep 4, 2004 | 3 km S of Massena, New York | M2.9 | 146 km | 4 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 140 km | 7 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 81 km | 16 km |
| Jul 23, 1996 | 15 km NNE of Saranac Lake, New York | M2.8 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 131 km | 22 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 134 km | 16 km |
| Mar 17, 2004 | 3 km SSW of Massena, New York | M2.7 | 146 km | 8 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 | 267 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
102 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 33 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 97 km | 42.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF3 | 35 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 24 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF2 | 52 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.5 mi | 4 |
| Jul 23, 1990 | EF2 | 64 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1986 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Sep 18, 1977 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 78 km | 1.4 mi | 1 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 22 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 49 km | 6.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 76 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 63 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 93 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2024 | EF1 | 59 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2024 | EF1 | 77 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF1 | 66 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 40°F (4°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 4.7 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 5.1 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 5.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 4.7 in |
Otter Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 15°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.1") and February the driest (3.4").