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Weather & Climate in Sussex, NJ

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

Sussex experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°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 41.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 425 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation425 ft (130 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density3,397/sq mi
Coordinates41.2088°N, 74.6082°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountySussex County County
Nearest AirportNew York Stewart International (SWF)
33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.0"
8% above US avg
Wettest Month (May) 4.53"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score77.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience84.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very High
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
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: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake M4.8 58 km 3 km
Apr 5, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M3.7 59 km 4 km
Jan 9, 1992 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey M3.1 97 km 8 km
Aug 26, 2003 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey M3.1 79 km 3 km
Oct 28, 1991 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut M3.0 88 km 10 km
Aug 3, 2025 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey M3.0 61 km 10 km
Feb 3, 2009 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey M3.0 38 km 0 km
Apr 27, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.9 59 km 5 km
May 24, 2024 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey M2.9 57 km 7 km
Aug 5, 2025 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey M2.8 52 km 12 km
Apr 12, 1991 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York M2.7 80 km 9 km
May 1, 2024 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 54 km 5 km
Aug 14, 2015 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey M2.6 51 km 8 km
Apr 10, 2024 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 58 km 9 km
Oct 27, 2001 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York M2.6 71 km 5 km
Aug 22, 2000 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York M2.6 85 km 7 km
Apr 5, 2024 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey M2.6 59 km 6 km
Jan 15, 1992 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York M2.5 38 km 7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
1991 Bob Category 2 109 mph 227 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 86 mph 129 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

225 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 134 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 31, 1998 EF3 42 km 20.0 mi 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 82 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 14, 1988 EF3 15 km 7.2 mi 0
Jul 26, 1981 EF3 95 km 3.3 mi 0
Sep 26, 1977 EF3 94 km 5.9 mi 0
Mar 21, 1976 EF3 54 km 0.5 mi 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 41 km 0.4 mi 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 46 km 0.4 mi 0
Apr 22, 2023 EF2 71 km 10.0 mi 0
May 15, 2018 EF2 84 km 1.2 mi 0
Feb 25, 2017 EF2 97 km 12.5 mi 0
Jul 23, 2010 EF2 82 km 25.7 mi 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 6 km 7.4 mi 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 62 km 4.6 mi 0
Aug 8, 2007 EF2 77 km 5.9 mi 0
Jul 12, 2006 EF2 64 km 10.1 mi 0
May 27, 2001 EF2 98 km 1.5 mi 0
May 18, 2000 EF2 86 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 7, 1998 EF2 100 km 0.2 mi 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 50 km 3.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
1964 LONG ISLAND, NY Meteorological 0.3 m — 135 km
1895 HIGH BRIDGE, NJ Earthquake — — 65 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1985 UNNAMED 23,000 41 km
2016 16 MILE 7,896 45 km
2024 JENNINGS CREEK 5,069 27 km
2015 ROOSA GAP 2,747 50 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,224 64 km
2016 SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE 1,929 57 km
2006 CHERRYTOWN FIRE 943 75 km
1988 UNNAMED 833 40 km
2020 SEVEN PINES 790 60 km
1985 UNNAMED 737 95 km
2015 PIPELINE 1 666 90 km
2016 BEAR TOWN 649 51 km
2016 SHERWOOD 642 43 km
2024 WHITEHOUSE 607 79 km
1999 WORTHINGTO 514 49 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 27°F (-3°C) 3.5 in Coldest
February 27°F (-3°C) 3.0 in Driest
March 37°F (3°C) 3.8 in
April 47°F (9°C) 4.1 in
May 58°F (14°C) 4.5 in Wettest
June 66°F (19°C) 4.3 in
July 72°F (22°C) 4.4 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 4.1 in
September 62°F (17°C) 4.3 in
October 51°F (11°C) 3.6 in
November 41°F (5°C) 4.1 in
December 31°F (-1°C) 3.6 in

Sussex has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 27°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.0").

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