Weather & Climate in Port Elizabeth, NJ
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Port Elizabeth experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches. The area receives 22.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 6 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
76°F Jul (25°C)
| Annual Average | 54.2°F |
| 0% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (25°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 6 ft (2 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 202/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 39.3099°N, 74.9714°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cape May County County |
| Nearest Airport | Atlantic City International (ACY) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 51 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 129 km | 8 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 143 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 140 km | - |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 97 km | 2 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 150 km | 3 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 80 km | 18 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 142 km | 11 km |
| May 7, 1994 | 2 km SW of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 8, 1995 | 1 km WSW of Montrose Manor, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 1993 | 2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey | M2.5 | 63 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
9 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 3.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 92 mph | 229 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 2 | 92 mph | 190 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 135 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | - | 296 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 75 mph | 296 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 109 mph | 270 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 109 mph | 176 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 75 mph | 213 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 109 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
240 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 176 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 84 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF3 | 47 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF3 | 91 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF3 | 84 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1983 | EF3 | 72 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 1961 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF3 | 92 km | 9.6 mi | 1 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 100 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 92 km | 8.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 29, 2021 | EF2 | 83 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 51 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 86 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Oct 31, 2019 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 98 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 2004 | EF2 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 2002 | EF2 | 96 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1999 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 90 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 97 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 1993 | EF2 | 71 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1840 | PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA | Earthquake | - | - | 58 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GREENWOOD STATE FOREST (21,271 acres, 1995).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1995 | GREENWOOD STATE FOREST | 21,271 | 84 km |
| 2007 | WARREN GROVE | 15,315 | 69 km |
| 2022 | MULLICA RIVER FIRE | 13,082 | 49 km |
| 1999 | BASS RIVER | 12,129 | 59 km |
| 2019 | SPRING HILL FIRE | 8,182 | 70 km |
| 2023 | ALLEN ROAD | 6,213 | 57 km |
| 1992 | FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR | 5,093 | 85 km |
| 1992 | POWER PLANT | 4,928 | 86 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 4,470 | 86 km |
| 2024 | TEA TIME HILL | 4,444 | 62 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 3,780 | 54 km |
| 2017 | PENN SWAMP FIRE | 3,587 | 50 km |
| 2023 | JIMMYS WATER HOLE | 3,585 | 93 km |
| 1989 | SIMM PLACE | 3,262 | 70 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 2,824 | 87 km |
| 2007 | ATSION | 2,705 | 51 km |
| 1992 | FOUR MILE COLONY | 2,647 | 71 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 2,625 | 54 km |
| 2010 | FORT DIX RANGE 1-14 | 2,615 | 87 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 2,367 | 54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 3.1 in | Coldest |
| February | 35°F (1°C) | 2.6 in | Driest |
| March | 42°F (5°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 62°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 76°F (25°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (24°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| September | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 56°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 3.2 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.0 in |
Port Elizabeth has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 33°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.4 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (2.6").