Weather & Climate in Preston, MD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Preston enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 37°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 14.1 inches of snow annually. The city sits at an elevation of 45 feet.
Temperature
37°F Jan (3°C)
79°F Jul (26°C)
| Annual Average | 58.0°F |
| 7% above US avg | |
| January Average | 37°F (3°C) |
| July Average | 79°F (26°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 45 ft (14 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,444/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 38.7102°N, 75.9075°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Caroline County County |
| Nearest Airport | Cambridge-Dorchester Regional (CGE) 14 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 58.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 56.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Jul 16, 2010 | 5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland | M3.6 | 144 km | 7 km |
| Oct 23, 1990 | 3 km W of Hancocks Bridge, New Jersey | M3.2 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Jul 1, 2009 | 3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey | M2.8 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1993 | 5 km W of Columbia, Maryland | M2.7 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1994 | 1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland | M2.7 | 89 km | - |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 145 km | 2 km |
| Jan 13, 1990 | 6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland | M2.6 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 25, 2021 | 2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland | M2.6 | 96 km | 3 km |
| Jul 5, 1996 | 2 km NW of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Feb 9, 2023 | 29 km E of Greenbackville, Virginia | M2.6 | 106 km | 11 km |
| Sep 29, 1997 | Virginia | M2.5 | 134 km | 3 km |
| Mar 10, 1993 | 3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland | M2.5 | 102 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 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 | 244 km |
| 2012 | Sandy | Category 1 | 92 mph | 240 km |
| 2011 | Irene | Category 1 | 75 mph | 104 km |
| 2003 | Isabel | Category 1 | 75 mph | 274 km |
| 1999 | Floyd | Category 1 | - | 213 km |
| 1998 | Bonnie | Category 1 | 86 mph | 265 km |
| 1993 | Emily | Category 3 | 115 mph | 264 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 3 | 115 mph | 222 km |
| 1986 | Charley | Category 1 | 81 mph | 158 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 127 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
316 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 fatalities, 191 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Apr 1, 2023 | EF3 | 24 km | 14.3 mi | 1 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF3 | 47 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 24, 2001 | EF3 | 96 km | 17.5 mi | 2 |
| Jun 9, 1961 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 1, 2021 | EF2 | 62 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 56 km | 35.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 32 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 2020 | EF2 | 81 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 15, 2019 | EF2 | 32 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2017 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2002 | EF2 | 95 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 5, 1995 | EF2 | 91 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1995 | EF2 | 20 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 66 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 68 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1994 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 27, 1993 | EF2 | 92 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1992 | EF2 | 48 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1984 | EF2 | 30 km | 1.5 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 | - | - | 136 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BESTPITCH (7,743 acres, 2017).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2017 | BESTPITCH | 7,743 | 37 km |
| 2004 | RETAINING ECOLOGICAL HEALTH | 5,678 | 39 km |
| 2014 | BLACKWATER MARSH WUI BURNS FY14 | 5,433 | 38 km |
| 2005 | MARSH RX-FWS | 4,380 | 36 km |
| 2007 | GUINEA MARSH | 4,173 | 38 km |
| 2009 | DOCTORS CREEK | 3,686 | 37 km |
| 1999 | FB R O C I | 3,525 | 40 km |
| 2019 | MDBWR-FY19-RX-MDWHS SUPPORT | 3,197 | 38 km |
| 2011 | COMPARTMENT J | 2,775 | 38 km |
| 2005 | ISLAND CREEK | 2,729 | 38 km |
| 2004 | UNNAMED | 2,156 | 39 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 2,038 | 35 km |
| 2005 | VEGETATION RESEARCH | 1,926 | 34 km |
| 2011 | THOROFARE | 1,850 | 34 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,692 | 38 km |
| 2004 | ROBBINS FIRE | 1,612 | 41 km |
| 1988 | SLAU BCH 2 | 1,578 | 57 km |
| 2020 | SPLIT DITCH | 1,518 | 98 km |
| 2004 | BLACKWATER HAZARD FUEL REDUCTION | 1,518 | 36 km |
| 2014 | RAILROAD | 1,431 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 4.4 in | |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| June | 75°F (24°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 79°F (26°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 77°F (25°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| September | 71°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 60°F (15°C) | 4.4 in | |
| November | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 41°F (5°C) | 3.9 in |
Preston has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 37°F in January to 79°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (3.1").