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Weather & Climate in Rifton, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rifton 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 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 52.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 59.2 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 296 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 | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 296 ft (90 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 373/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.8297°N, 74.0380°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Ulster County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hudson Valley Regional (POU) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 45.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 80.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 140 km | 3 km |
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 140 km | 4 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 86 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 83 km | 9 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 114 km | 0 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 140 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 83 km | 7 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 91 km | 12 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 95 km | 22 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 90 km | 16 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 95 km | 18 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 83 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 139 km | 4 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 | 104 mph | 215 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 103 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
190 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 284 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 65 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 83 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 69 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 50 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 82 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| Apr 22, 2023 | EF2 | 74 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 47 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 84 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 86 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 42 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 6 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 89 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 78 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 82 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | EF2 | 46 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.5 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 | — | 139 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 147 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 71 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 76 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 38 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 23 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 30 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 27 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 66 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 73 km |
| 2024 | WHITEHOUSE | 607 | 35 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 3.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in |
Rifton has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (2.7").