Weather & Climate in Paterson, NJ

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

Paterson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 40°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 273 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 59.8 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 12.3 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 108 feet.

Temperature

40°F Jan (4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	54.8°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	40°F (4°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	108 ft (33 m)
Area	8.7 sq mi (22.5 km²)
Population Density	18,747/sq mi
Coordinates	40.9148°N, 74.1628°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Bergen County County
Nearest Airport	Newark Liberty International (EWR) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 59.8"

57% above US avg

Snowfall 12.3"

Wettest Month (May) 4.53"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	97.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.0 / 100
Community Resilience	76.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively High
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Very 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	56 km	3 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	55 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	87 km	3 km
Jan 9, 1992	4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey	M3.1	63 km	8 km
Oct 28, 1991	3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut	M3.0	52 km	10 km
Aug 3, 2025	0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey	M3.0	12 km	10 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	31 km	0 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	55 km	7 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	55 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	15 km	12 km
Apr 12, 1991	2 km ENE of North Castle, New York	M2.7	50 km	9 km
Aug 14, 2014	6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut	M2.7	148 km	4 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	39 km	8 km
May 1, 2024	1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	48 km	5 km
Oct 27, 2001	1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York	M2.6	21 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	53 km	9 km
Aug 22, 2000	2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York	M2.6	72 km	7 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	57 km	6 km
Jan 15, 1992	5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York	M2.5	36 km	7 km
Feb 26, 1993	2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey	M2.5	133 km	5 km

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

Hurricane History

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

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1991	Bob	Category 2	109 mph	179 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	81 km

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

Tornado History

227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 125 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 31, 1998	EF3	89 km	20.0 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	70 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 14, 1988	EF3	56 km	7.2 mi	0
Sep 26, 1977	EF3	68 km	5.9 mi	0
Mar 21, 1976	EF3	86 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	47 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	31 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 24, 1960	EF3	88 km	12.9 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	89 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	85 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	87 km	2.1 mi	0
Feb 21, 2023	EF2	84 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 29, 2021	EF2	92 km	6.3 mi	0
May 15, 2018	EF2	76 km	1.2 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	91 km	4.6 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	56 km	7.4 mi	0
Aug 8, 2007	EF2	32 km	5.9 mi	0
Jul 12, 2006	EF2	30 km	10.1 mi	0
May 27, 2001	EF2	64 km	1.5 mi	0
Sep 7, 1998	EF2	50 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

2 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	—	90 km
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	67 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

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

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	UNNAMED	23,000	31 km
2016	16 MILE	7,896	89 km
2024	JENNINGS CREEK	5,069	31 km
2015	ROOSA GAP	2,747	83 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,224	91 km
2016	SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE	1,929	87 km
1988	UNNAMED	833	37 km
1985	UNNAMED	737	64 km
1989	LAKEWOOD	728	93 km
2016	BEAR TOWN	649	94 km
2016	SHERWOOD	642	30 km
1999	WORTHINGTO	514	80 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	40°F (4°C)	3.8 in
February	32°F (0°C)	3.0 in	Coldest, Driest
March	41°F (5°C)	4.1 in
April	51°F (11°C)	4.2 in
May	62°F (17°C)	4.5 in	Wettest
June	71°F (21°C)	3.9 in
July	76°F (24°C)	4.5 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.2 in
September	66°F (19°C)	4.3 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.8 in
November	45°F (7°C)	4.2 in
December	35°F (2°C)	3.7 in

Paterson has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 32°F in February to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.0").

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