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Weather & Climate in Slippery Rock University, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Slippery Rock University experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 70°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 45.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,294 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 48.1°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,294 ft (394 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,953/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0647°N, 80.0419°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Mercer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pittsburgh/Butler Regional (BTP) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 77.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 54.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
36 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.5.
| Sep 25, 1998 | 2 km SW of Adamsville, Pennsylvania | M4.5 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2019 | 1 km NW of Timberlake, Ohio | M4.0 | 136 km | 2 km |
| Jan 26, 2001 | 8 km NNW of Edgewood, Ohio | M3.9 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Mar 12, 2007 | Ohio | M3.7 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2003 | 6 km NW of Perry, Ohio | M3.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Aug 28, 2023 | 7 km SE of Madison, Ohio | M3.6 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Oct 16, 1993 | 8 km SSE of Madison, Ohio | M3.6 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jun 20, 2006 | 9 km WNW of North Perry, Ohio | M3.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Mar 15, 1992 | 15 km NW of North Perry, Ohio | M3.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jan 26, 1991 | 1 km NNE of Mayfield Heights, Ohio | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jun 3, 2001 | 3 km N of Edgewood, Ohio | M3.4 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jun 30, 2004 | 2 km WNW of Madison, Ohio | M3.3 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jul 1, 2013 | 5 km NNW of Fairport Harbor, Ohio | M3.2 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2008 | 6 km WNW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M3.1 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2006 | 8 km NNW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio | M3.1 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 25, 2010 | 2 km WNW of Madison, Ohio | M3.0 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2024 | 2 km SSW of Maple Ridge, Ohio | M3.0 | 87 km | 6 km |
| Feb 23, 1995 | 3 km W of Ashtabula, Ohio | M2.9 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Aug 7, 2000 | 2 km S of Limaville, Ohio | M2.9 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2022 | 3 km NW of Timberlake, Ohio | M2.8 | 138 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
325 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 76 fatalities, 1,183 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1985 | EF5 | 94 km | 47.0 mi | 18 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 97 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 95 km | 14.0 mi | 12 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 65 km | 29.0 mi | 7 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF4 | 61 km | 56.2 mi | 16 |
| Jun 3, 1980 | EF4 | 53 km | 11.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 45 km | 39.0 mi | 9 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 71 km | 23.0 mi | 2 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 76 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 90 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 83 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 12, 1978 | EF3 | 79 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1976 | EF3 | 92 km | 11.8 mi | 1 |
| May 2, 1972 | EF3 | 48 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1971 | EF3 | 90 km | 29.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1963 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Aug 5, 1956 | EF3 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 2 |
| Mar 1, 1955 | EF3 | 57 km | 2.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | EF2 | 81 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 2024 | EF2 | 88 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (628 acres, 1990).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 628 | 70 km |
| 2021 | UNNAMED | 586 | 82 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 2.2 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.8 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.1 in |
Slippery Rock University has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 25°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.2").