Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pawling experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 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 48.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 57.9 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 473 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average
26°F (-3°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
473 ft (144 m)
Area
2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²)
Population Density
1,029/sq mi
Coordinates
41.5636°N, 73.5993°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Putnam County County
Nearest Airport
Hudson Valley Regional (POU) 15 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall48.9"
29% above US avg
Snowfall57.9"
Wettest Month (May)4.57"
Driest Month (Feb)3.19"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
39.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
90.6 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Very Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Apr 5, 2024
2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake
M4.8
137 km
3 km
Jun 17, 1991
7 km NE of Worcester, New York
M4.0
148 km
5 km
Oct 2, 1994
6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.7
140 km
10 km
Apr 5, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M3.7
137 km
4 km
Jun 16, 2000
5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts
M3.3
88 km
10 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
145 km
10 km
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
143 km
5 km
Dec 13, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.2
120 km
10 km
Jan 9, 1992
4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey
M3.1
147 km
8 km
Jul 24, 2007
12 km SSW of Altamont, New York
M3.1
123 km
15 km
May 18, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.1
120 km
9 km
Aug 3, 2025
0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey
M3.0
88 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
55 km
10 km
Feb 3, 2009
1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey
M3.0
109 km
0 km
May 24, 2024
6 km E of Califon, New Jersey
M2.9
136 km
7 km
Apr 27, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.9
137 km
5 km
Oct 21, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M2.9
120 km
7 km
Mar 10, 1992
2 km SW of Napeague, New York
M2.8
142 km
10 km
Aug 5, 2025
1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
M2.8
71 km
12 km
Aug 27, 2011
5 km WSW of Altamont, New York
M2.8
131 km
22 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
172 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
76 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
224 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 26 fatalities, 1,030 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 29, 1995
EF4
72 km
11.5 mi
3
Jul 10, 1989
EF4
62 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 3, 1979
EF4
85 km
11.3 mi
3
Aug 28, 1973
EF4
96 km
9.8 mi
4
Jun 1, 2011
EF3
92 km
37.6 mi
3
Jul 14, 1988
EF3
82 km
7.2 mi
0
Jun 16, 1974
EF3
79 km
49.1 mi
0
Jul 29, 1971
EF3
46 km
0.1 mi
0
May 24, 1962
EF3
40 km
11.6 mi
1
Aug 21, 1951
EF3
92 km
0.1 mi
0
May 15, 2018
EF2
10 km
1.2 mi
0
Jul 29, 2009
EF2
96 km
7.4 mi
0
Jul 12, 2006
EF2
59 km
10.1 mi
0
Jul 21, 2003
EF2
93 km
1.3 mi
0
Jul 21, 2003
EF2
77 km
1.5 mi
0
Jun 23, 2001
EF2
48 km
0.5 mi
0
May 18, 2000
EF2
42 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
74 km
4.5 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
77 km
3.7 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
94 km
1.5 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
—
95 km
1895
HIGH BRIDGE, NJ
Earthquake
—
—
147 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1985
UNNAMED
23,000
60 km
2024
JENNINGS CREEK
5,069
72 km
2015
ROOSA GAP
2,747
69 km
2008
UNNAMED
2,224
59 km
2016
SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE
1,929
63 km
2012
CRESCENT BOW FIRE
1,068
99 km
2006
CHERRYTOWN FIRE
943
72 km
1988
UNNAMED
833
57 km
2016
SHERWOOD
642
60 km
2024
WHITEHOUSE
607
80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
26°F (-3°C)
3.5 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
3.2 in
Driest
March
36°F (2°C)
3.9 in
April
47°F (8°C)
4.2 in
May
58°F (14°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
June
66°F (19°C)
4.1 in
July
73°F (23°C)
4.4 in
Warmest
August
69°F (21°C)
4.2 in
September
61°F (16°C)
4.1 in
October
50°F (10°C)
3.9 in
November
41°F (5°C)
4.2 in
December
30°F (-1°C)
3.8 in
Pawling has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.2").