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Weather & Climate in Upper Montclair, NJ

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

Upper Montclair experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 282 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 334 feet.

Temperature

31°F Jan (-1°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.1°F
2% below US avg
January Average31°F (-1°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days282 days/yr

Geography

Elevation334 ft (102 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density5,159/sq mi
Coordinates40.8426°N, 74.2013°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyEssex County County
Nearest AirportNewark Liberty International (EWR)
11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (May) 4.69"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.07"

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score97.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability80.3 / 100
Community Resilience27.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.

Apr 5, 2024 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake M4.8 50 km 3 km
Apr 5, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M3.7 49 km 4 km
Aug 26, 2003 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey M3.1 81 km 3 km
Jan 9, 1992 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey M3.1 55 km 8 km
Oct 28, 1991 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut M3.0 58 km 10 km
Aug 3, 2025 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey M3.0 13 km 10 km
Feb 3, 2009 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey M3.0 28 km 0 km
May 24, 2024 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey M2.9 49 km 7 km
Apr 27, 2024 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.9 49 km 5 km
Aug 5, 2025 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey M2.8 24 km 12 km
Apr 12, 1991 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York M2.7 57 km 9 km
Aug 14, 2015 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey M2.6 33 km 8 km
Aug 22, 2000 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York M2.6 80 km 7 km
Oct 27, 2001 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York M2.6 20 km 5 km
May 1, 2024 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 42 km 5 km
Apr 10, 2024 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey M2.6 47 km 9 km
Apr 5, 2024 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey M2.6 51 km 6 km
Jan 15, 1992 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York M2.5 44 km 7 km
Feb 26, 1993 2 km SW of Marlton, New Jersey M2.5 125 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

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

Year Name Category Max Wind Closest
2012 Sandy Category 1 92 mph 296 km
1991 Bob Category 2 109 mph 180 km
1985 Gloria Category 2 98 mph 81 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 fatalities, 123 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 31, 1998 EF3 91 km 20.0 mi 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 63 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 14, 1988 EF3 61 km 7.2 mi 0
Sep 26, 1977 EF3 59 km 5.9 mi 0
Mar 21, 1976 EF3 84 km 0.5 mi 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 26 km 0.4 mi 0
May 28, 1973 EF3 44 km 0.4 mi 0
Jun 24, 1960 EF3 80 km 12.9 mi 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 81 km 0.1 mi 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 77 km 1.6 mi 0
Apr 1, 2023 EF2 78 km 2.1 mi 0
Feb 21, 2023 EF2 76 km 5.8 mi 0
Jul 29, 2021 EF2 84 km 6.3 mi 0
May 15, 2018 EF2 85 km 1.2 mi 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 59 km 7.4 mi 0
Jul 29, 2009 EF2 89 km 4.6 mi 0
Aug 8, 2007 EF2 25 km 5.9 mi 0
Jul 12, 2006 EF2 38 km 10.1 mi 0
May 27, 2001 EF2 56 km 1.5 mi 0
Sep 7, 1998 EF2 49 km 0.2 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

3 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 — 93 km
1895 HIGH BRIDGE, NJ Earthquake — — 61 km
1840 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Earthquake — — 144 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

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

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1985 UNNAMED 23,000 40 km
2016 16 MILE 7,896 89 km
2024 JENNINGS CREEK 5,069 38 km
1992 UNNAMED 4,470 98 km
2023 JIMMYS WATER HOLE 3,585 94 km
2002 UNNAMED 2,824 96 km
2015 ROOSA GAP 2,747 90 km
2010 FORT DIX RANGE 1-14 2,615 96 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,224 99 km
2016 SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE 1,929 94 km
1997 UNNAMED 1,793 97 km
1995 UNNAMED 1,318 96 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,002 97 km
1992 UNNAMED 959 94 km
1986 LAKEHURST NAVAL AIR 906 92 km
1995 UNNAMED 877 96 km
1991 UNNAMED 860 97 km
1997 WRANGLE BROOK FIRE 850 98 km
1988 UNNAMED 833 45 km
2010 FORT DIX RANGE 34 741 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 31°F (-1°C) 3.9 in Coldest
February 31°F (-1°C) 3.1 in Driest
March 40°F (4°C) 4.2 in
April 50°F (10°C) 4.3 in
May 60°F (16°C) 4.7 in Wettest
June 69°F (21°C) 4.2 in
July 76°F (24°C) 4.7 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 4.3 in
September 65°F (18°C) 4.7 in
October 54°F (12°C) 4.0 in
November 44°F (7°C) 4.3 in
December 34°F (1°C) 3.8 in

Upper Montclair has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 31°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 50.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (3.1").

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