Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Rochester Institute of Technology, NY

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

Rochester Institute of Technology experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 35.1 inches. The area receives 102.0 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 528 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average26°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days260 days/yr

Geography

Elevation528 ft (161 m)
Area2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²)
Population Density3,202/sq mi
Coordinates43.0847°N, 77.6728°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMonroe County County
Nearest AirportFrederick Douglass/Greater Rochester International (ROC)
2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 35.1"
8% below US avg
Snowfall 102.0"
Wettest Month (Sep) 3.46"
Driest Month (Feb) 1.73"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score93.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability43.5 / 100
Community Resilience94.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Nov 26, 1999 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.8 128 km 13 km
Feb 6, 2023 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York M3.8 94 km 6 km
Dec 25, 1998 23 km SE of Cobourg, Canada M3.6 85 km 18 km
Jun 29, 2024 14 km W of Ellisburg, New York M3.3 130 km 5 km
Feb 3, 2001 6 km W of Bath, New York M3.2 85 km 0 km
May 24, 2000 4 km ENE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.1 140 km 18 km
May 8, 2018 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada M3.0 126 km 5 km
May 25, 1995 3 km NW of Amherst, New York M3.0 95 km 5 km
Nov 7, 2002 13 km SSW of Belleville, Canada M3.0 109 km 18 km
Aug 4, 2004 30 km SSW of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 83 km 5 km
Jul 19, 2007 27 km S of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 82 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2004 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York M2.9 120 km 6 km
Jun 5, 2009 4 km SSE of Attica, New York M2.9 55 km 5 km
Mar 28, 2005 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada M2.8 133 km 7 km
Mar 8, 2008 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York M2.7 73 km 6 km
Dec 21, 2009 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York M2.7 89 km 8 km
Mar 29, 2020 11 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.6 68 km 5 km
Mar 15, 2022 5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York M2.6 59 km 5 km
Apr 11, 2007 6 km NNE of Sodus Point, New York M2.6 63 km 7 km
Sep 20, 2009 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada M2.6 147 km 4 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

70 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 4 fatalities, 9 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 2, 1983 EF3 86 km 20.0 mi 1
Jun 2, 1969 EF3 80 km 17.5 mi 0
Jul 28, 2022 EF2 74 km 10.0 mi 0
Aug 21, 2011 EF2 72 km 7.9 mi 0
Apr 28, 2002 EF2 92 km 6.5 mi 0
Jun 2, 1998 EF2 60 km 15.0 mi 0
Sep 3, 1993 EF2 92 km 3.5 mi 0
Aug 28, 1990 EF2 92 km 2.5 mi 0
Jul 30, 1987 EF2 91 km 1.5 mi 0
May 2, 1972 EF2 80 km 12.0 mi 0
Aug 23, 1971 EF2 86 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 2024 EF1 92 km 2.8 mi 0
Sep 19, 2022 EF1 57 km 1.9 mi 0
Sep 12, 2021 EF1 46 km 0.8 mi 0
May 3, 2018 EF1 59 km 1.1 mi 0
Jul 20, 2017 EF1 86 km 4.2 mi 0
Jul 13, 2014 EF1 95 km 3.5 mi 0
Aug 9, 2009 EF1 98 km 7.8 mi 0
Jul 25, 2009 EF1 63 km 4.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 2007 EF1 93 km 1.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DRY MARSH (1,018 acres, 2010).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2010 DRY MARSH 1,018 76 km
1994 MOHAWK POOL 507 60 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-3°C) 2.0 in
February 25°F (-4°C) 1.7 in Coldest, Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 2.3 in
April 45°F (7°C) 2.8 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.8 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.4 in
July 72°F (22°C) 2.9 in Warmest
August 69°F (20°C) 3.4 in
September 61°F (16°C) 3.5 in Wettest
October 50°F (10°C) 2.7 in
November 40°F (4°C) 2.9 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 2.6 in

Rochester Institute of Technology has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (1.7").

View full profile of Rochester Institute of Technology, NY →