Weather & Climate in Sunbury, PA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sunbury experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.9 inches. The area receives 28.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 439 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 51.1°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 439 ft (134 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,798/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 40.8615°N, 76.7867°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Northumberland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Williamsport Regional (IPT) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 52.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 89.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
18 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.6.
| Jan 16, 1994 | 2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.6 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M4.2 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jun 13, 2019 | 9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania | M3.4 | 78 km | 27 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 145 km | 3 km |
| Jun 3, 2010 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M3.1 | 88 km | 2 km |
| Nov 14, 1997 | 0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania | M3.0 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2009 | 1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 91 km | 1 km |
| Jan 16, 1994 | 0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.9 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Sep 15, 2019 | 5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jun 10, 2025 | 10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 79 km | 8 km |
| May 10, 1993 | 1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2009 | 4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania | M2.8 | 87 km | 1 km |
| Mar 11, 1995 | 0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania | M2.7 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 2015 | 4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 135 km | 2 km |
| Jan 18, 1994 | 3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Oct 28, 1996 | 2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania | M2.6 | 86 km | 5 km |
| May 7, 1994 | 2 km SW of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Jan 8, 1995 | 1 km WSW of Montrose Manor, Pennsylvania | M2.5 | 91 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 2 | 98 mph | 286 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
280 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 fatalities, 171 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 14, 2004 | EF3 | 67 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 86 km | 8.3 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1985 | EF3 | 47 km | 19.0 mi | 6 |
| Jul 29, 1976 | EF3 | 55 km | 25.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1970 | EF3 | 66 km | 1.9 mi | 1 |
| Nov 4, 1950 | EF3 | 93 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 2019 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 2019 | EF2 | 48 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 2, 2018 | EF2 | 83 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2018 | EF2 | 96 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Feb 25, 2017 | EF2 | 96 km | 12.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2014 | EF2 | 81 km | 6.7 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 2011 | EF2 | 41 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 28, 2011 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
| Dec 1, 2006 | EF2 | 64 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 9, 1992 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1992 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1992 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PENOBSCOT (2,091 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | PENOBSCOT | 2,091 | 86 km |
| 2008 | BULL RUN | 2,003 | 96 km |
| 2004 | CRYSTAL LAKE | 1,838 | 86 km |
| 2015 | RAZOR FIRE | 728 | 93 km |
| 2015 | PIPELINE 1 | 666 | 98 km |
| 2006 | OKOME ROAD | 573 | 78 km |
| 2006 | BEAR TRAP | 561 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.1 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| October | 53°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 3.1 in | |
| December | 33°F (0°C) | 2.8 in |
Sunbury has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 28°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.9 inches, with September being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.1").