Weather & Climate in Rahway, NJ

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

Rahway experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 55°F (13°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. The area gets 271 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 50.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 18 feet.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	54.6°F
	1% above US avg
January Average	33°F (0°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	18 ft (5 m)
Area	4.0 sq mi (10.4 km²)
Population Density	7,628/sq mi
Coordinates	40.6072°N, 74.2805°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Union County County
Nearest Airport	Newark Liberty International (EWR) 8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 50.4"

33% above US avg

Snowfall 26.3"

Wettest Month (Jul) 4.92"

Driest Month (Feb) 3.03"

Air Quality

AQI Median	39.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively High
Risk Score	95.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	55.8 / 100
Community Resilience	30.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very High
Heat Wave	Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather	Very High
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Very High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively Moderate

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

26 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	42 km	3 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.2	149 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	40 km	4 km
Jan 9, 1992	4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey	M3.1	28 km	8 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	70 km	3 km
Aug 3, 2025	0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey	M3.0	34 km	10 km
Oct 28, 1991	3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut	M3.0	78 km	10 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	36 km	0 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	42 km	7 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	41 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M2.9	150 km	5 km
May 10, 1993	1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania	M2.8	150 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2025	1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey	M2.8	50 km	12 km
Jul 1, 2009	3 km ESE of Pennsville, New Jersey	M2.8	148 km	5 km
Apr 12, 1991	2 km ENE of North Castle, New York	M2.7	80 km	9 km
Jan 25, 2015	4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania	M2.6	135 km	2 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	42 km	6 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	39 km	9 km
May 1, 2024	1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	36 km	5 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	30 km	8 km

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

Hurricane History

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

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2014	Arthur	Category 1	81 mph	294 km
2012	Sandy	Category 1	92 mph	273 km
2011	Irene	Category 1	75 mph	286 km
1991	Bob	Category 2	109 mph	179 km
1985	Gloria	Category 2	98 mph	83 km

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

Tornado History

238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 13 fatalities, 141 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 29, 2021	EF3	81 km	3.4 mi	0
Oct 18, 1990	EF3	44 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 14, 1988	EF3	83 km	7.2 mi	0
Sep 26, 1977	EF3	33 km	5.9 mi	0
Mar 21, 1976	EF3	86 km	0.5 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	28 km	0.4 mi	0
May 28, 1973	EF3	46 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 24, 1960	EF3	56 km	12.9 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	50 km	1.6 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	51 km	2.1 mi	0
Apr 1, 2023	EF2	58 km	0.1 mi	0
Feb 21, 2023	EF2	51 km	5.8 mi	0
Sep 1, 2021	EF2	98 km	8.3 mi	1
Jul 29, 2021	EF2	64 km	6.3 mi	0
Jul 29, 2021	EF2	95 km	4.2 mi	0
Aug 4, 2020	EF2	82 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	89 km	4.6 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	78 km	7.4 mi	0
Aug 8, 2007	EF2	15 km	5.9 mi	0
Jul 12, 2006	EF2	62 km	10.1 mi	0

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

Tsunami History

3 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	—	102 km
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	51 km
1840	PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA	Earthquake	—	—	119 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

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

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1985	UNNAMED	23,000	67 km
1995	GREENWOOD STATE FOREST	21,271	86 km
2019	SPRING HILL FIRE	8,182	92 km
2016	16 MILE	7,896	98 km
1992	FORKED RIVER MOUTAIN APR	5,093	83 km
2024	JENNINGS CREEK	5,069	63 km
1992	POWER PLANT	4,928	86 km
1992	UNNAMED	4,470	70 km
2024	TEA TIME HILL	4,444	95 km
2023	JIMMYS WATER HOLE	3,585	67 km
1989	SIMM PLACE	3,262	93 km
2002	UNNAMED	2,824	69 km
1992	FOUR MILE COLONY	2,647	86 km
2010	FORT DIX RANGE 1-14	2,615	69 km
1997	UNNAMED	1,833	98 km
1997	UNNAMED	1,793	70 km
1984	UNNAMED	1,726	99 km
2001	BOMBING RANGE FIRE	1,725	100 km
2002	JAKES BRANCH	1,364	77 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,318	69 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	33°F (0°C)	3.9 in	Coldest
February	33°F (1°C)	3.0 in	Driest
March	41°F (5°C)	4.1 in
April	51°F (11°C)	4.1 in
May	62°F (16°C)	4.5 in
June	70°F (21°C)	3.8 in
July	77°F (25°C)	4.9 in	Warmest, Wettest
August	74°F (23°C)	4.4 in
September	67°F (19°C)	4.3 in
October	55°F (13°C)	3.7 in
November	46°F (8°C)	4.1 in
December	36°F (2°C)	3.8 in

Rahway has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 33°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.9") and February the driest (3.0").

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