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Weather & Climate in Saranac Lake, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Saranac Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 64°F in July. The area gets 258 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,544 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 40.0°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 258 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,544 ft (471 m) |
| Area | 2.9 sq mi (7.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,752/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3259°N, 74.1309°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Adirondack Regional (SLK) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 51.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
62 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Apr 20, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M5.3 | 40 km | 5 km |
| May 17, 1991 | 7 km WNW of Rigaud, Canada | M4.4 | 132 km | 18 km |
| Jul 30, 1993 | 1 km NE of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada | M3.9 | 104 km | 8 km |
| Mar 16, 2011 | 6 km ENE of Hawkesbury, Canada | M3.9 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Nov 16, 1993 | 5 km SSE of Saint-Édouard, Canada | M3.8 | 108 km | 17 km |
| Oct 6, 2000 | 1 km WSW of Ormstown, Canada | M3.8 | 90 km | 18 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 43 km | 5 km |
| Jul 5, 1991 | 7 km WSW of Sainte-Martine, Canada | M3.8 | 102 km | 18 km |
| Nov 6, 2012 | Ontario-Quebec border region, Canada | M3.7 | 148 km | 11 km |
| Jan 9, 2006 | 2 km ESE of Franklin, Canada | M3.7 | 80 km | 13 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Sep 12, 1995 | 8 km S of Brownsburg-Chatham, Canada | M3.7 | 145 km | 18 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 36 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 2020 | 5 km SW of Franklin, Canada | M3.4 | 75 km | 6 km |
| Aug 20, 1995 | 4 km S of Chambly, Canada | M3.3 | 138 km | 18 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 3 km N of Dannemora, New York | M3.3 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Hawkesbury, Canada | M3.3 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Jun 1, 2002 | 3 km SW of Boisbriand, Canada | M3.2 | 142 km | 18 km |
| Jul 31, 1997 | 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York | M3.2 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 46 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 291 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
32 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 8, 1983 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 62 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1970 | EF2 | 91 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1963 | EF2 | 98 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 19, 1954 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1952 | EF2 | 10 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 94 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2022 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2021 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1993 | EF1 | 67 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1986 | EF1 | 29 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF1 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1973 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1973 | EF1 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1972 | EF1 | 89 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1965 | EF1 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1961 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 16, 1958 | EF1 | 35 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1953 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF0 | 88 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FLAT ROCK FIRE (658 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | FLAT ROCK FIRE | 658 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 15°F (-9°C) | 2.4 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 62°F (16°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 3.2 in |
Saranac Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 14°F in January to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.0 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.4").