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Weather & Climate in Scranton, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Scranton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 275 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 38.7 inches. The area receives 45.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 751 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.3°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 751 ft (229 m) |
| Area | 25.5 sq mi (66.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,006/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.4042°N, 75.6659°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lackawanna County County |
| Nearest Airport | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 60.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | 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: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 109 km | 3 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 111 km | 4 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 100 km | 3 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 112 km | 0 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 124 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 108 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 110 km | 5 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 143 km | 12 km |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey | M2.6 | 110 km | 6 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 112 km | 9 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey | M2.6 | 117 km | 8 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 | 218 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
221 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 95 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 2, 1998 | EF3 | 40 km | 26.0 mi | 2 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 84 km | 62.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 49 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 95 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1981 | EF3 | 71 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 21, 1976 | EF3 | 62 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 2023 | EF2 | 76 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2019 | EF2 | 66 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 23 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 2017 | EF2 | 19 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF2 | 70 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2010 | EF2 | 39 km | 25.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 85 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 63 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 2006 | EF2 | 50 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 40 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 42 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 8, 1996 | EF2 | 68 km | 2.0 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 |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | - | - | 105 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | 16 MILE | 7,896 | 49 km |
| 2009 | PENOBSCOT | 2,091 | 28 km |
| 2004 | CRYSTAL LAKE | 1,838 | 31 km |
| 2020 | SEVEN PINES | 790 | 39 km |
| 2015 | RAZOR FIRE | 728 | 70 km |
| 2015 | PIPELINE 1 | 666 | 31 km |
| 2016 | BEAR TOWN | 649 | 45 km |
| 1999 | WORTHINGTO | 514 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.8 in | |
| February | 24°F (-5°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.1 in |
Scranton has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 24°F in February to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (2.7").