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 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.9 inches. The area receives 29.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. 73% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 108 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 53.1°F |
| 2% below US avg | |
| January Average | 31°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
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
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 73.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 10 |
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 | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 40°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 51°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 55°F (13°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 4.0 in |
Paterson has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 31°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.9 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.6").