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Weather & Climate in University at Buffalo, NY

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

University at Buffalo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 40.7 inches. The area receives 95.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 598 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation598 ft (182 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density5,019/sq mi
Coordinates42.9993°N, 78.7876°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyErie County County
Nearest AirportBuffalo Niagara International (BUF)
5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.7"
7% above US avg
Snowfall 95.4"
Wettest Month (Sep) 3.86"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score97.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability47.7 / 100
Community Resilience95.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Very High
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Nov 26, 1999 14 km ESE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.8 81 km 13 km
Feb 6, 2023 1 km NE of West Seneca, New York M3.8 15 km 6 km
Dec 25, 1998 23 km SE of Cobourg, Canada M3.6 116 km 18 km
Feb 3, 2001 6 km W of Bath, New York M3.2 135 km 0 km
May 24, 2000 4 km ENE of Centennial Scarborough, Canada M3.1 93 km 18 km
May 8, 2018 14 km SSE of Ajax, Canada M3.0 83 km 5 km
May 25, 1995 3 km NW of Amherst, New York M3.0 4 km 5 km
Aug 4, 2004 30 km SSW of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 89 km 5 km
Jul 19, 2007 27 km S of Cobourg, Canada M3.0 93 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2004 11 km NNW of Angola on the Lake, New York M2.9 36 km 6 km
Jun 5, 2009 4 km SSE of Attica, New York M2.9 48 km 5 km
Mar 28, 2005 16 km NW of Virgil, Canada M2.8 54 km 7 km
Mar 8, 2008 5 km ENE of Clarence Center, New York M2.7 18 km 6 km
Dec 21, 2009 10 km NNE of Olcott, New York M2.7 48 km 8 km
Mar 29, 2020 11 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.6 59 km 5 km
Mar 15, 2022 5 km SSW of Warsaw, New York M2.6 62 km 5 km
Sep 20, 2009 20 km ESE of Oakville, Canada M2.6 68 km 4 km
Jul 11, 2017 11 km NNW of Barker, New York M2.5 51 km 5 km
Jan 25, 1999 New York M2.5 82 km 3 km
Feb 13, 2014 34 km N of Lyndonville, New York M2.5 78 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

78 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 19 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 19, 1970 EF3 37 km 2.3 mi 0
Jul 24, 1967 EF3 65 km 11.4 mi 0
Jul 10, 2024 EF2 42 km 3.2 mi 0
Jul 28, 2022 EF2 56 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 20, 2017 EF2 29 km 6.1 mi 0
Nov 14, 2011 EF2 80 km 4.1 mi 0
Jul 24, 2010 EF2 95 km 7.6 mi 0
Apr 28, 2002 EF2 92 km 6.5 mi 0
Jun 2, 1998 EF2 52 km 15.0 mi 0
Jun 13, 1994 EF2 90 km 3.0 mi 0
Sep 3, 1993 EF2 100 km 3.5 mi 0
Jul 12, 1992 EF2 77 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 30, 1987 EF2 9 km 1.5 mi 0
May 2, 1972 EF2 37 km 12.0 mi 0
Aug 23, 1971 EF2 11 km 0.1 mi 0
May 17, 1969 EF2 90 km 2.0 mi 0
Aug 6, 1968 EF2 71 km 31.8 mi 0
Jul 7, 1961 EF2 13 km 7.8 mi 0
Aug 5, 2024 EF1 15 km 1.4 mi 0
Jul 10, 2024 EF1 33 km 2.8 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MOHAWK POOL (507 acres, 1994).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1994 MOHAWK POOL 507 34 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 26°F (-4°C) 2.8 in
February 25°F (-4°C) 2.3 in Coldest, Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 2.8 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.0 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.3 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.7 in
July 72°F (22°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.5 in
September 62°F (17°C) 3.9 in Wettest
October 51°F (11°C) 3.2 in
November 40°F (5°C) 3.7 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 in

University at Buffalo has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 25°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 38.8 inches, with September being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.3").

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