Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Urbana experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 293 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 47.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.4 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 433 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (-0°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
54.0°F
0% below US avg
January Average
32°F (-0°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
293 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
433 ft (132 m)
Area
6.6 sq mi (17.1 km²)
Population Density
1,789/sq mi
Coordinates
39.3258°N, 77.3415°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Frederick County County
Nearest Airport
Washington Dulles International (IAD) 31 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall47.9"
26% above US avg
Snowfall31.4"
Wettest Month (May)3.94"
Driest Month (Feb)2.64"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
74.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
77.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.6.
Jul 16, 2010
5 km NNW of Barnesville, Maryland
M3.6
9 km
7 km
Jun 13, 2019
9 km N of Blain, Pennsylvania
M3.4
123 km
27 km
Jun 3, 2010
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M3.1
90 km
2 km
Jan 17, 2016
3 km NE of Ranson, West Virginia
M3.0
42 km
5 km
Nov 14, 1997
0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania
M3.0
130 km
5 km
Apr 24, 2009
1 km S of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.9
86 km
1 km
Sep 15, 2019
5 km ESE of East Berlin, Pennsylvania
M2.8
76 km
5 km
Oct 25, 2009
4 km ENE of Franklintown, Pennsylvania
M2.8
91 km
1 km
Mar 15, 1993
5 km W of Columbia, Maryland
M2.7
40 km
5 km
Oct 28, 1994
1 km E of Mount Vernon, Maryland
M2.7
64 km
—
Mar 11, 1995
0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania
M2.7
118 km
5 km
Jan 13, 1990
6 km ENE of Eldersburg, Maryland
M2.6
41 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2021
2 km SE of Woodlawn, Maryland
M2.6
55 km
3 km
Jan 18, 1994
3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania
M2.6
136 km
5 km
Oct 28, 1996
2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania
M2.6
147 km
5 km
Sep 29, 1997
Virginia
M2.5
57 km
3 km
Jul 27, 1997
5 km SSE of Culpeper, Virginia
M2.5
114 km
19 km
Mar 10, 1993
3 km WSW of Columbia, Maryland
M2.5
41 km
5 km
Jun 25, 2001
8 km S of Remington, Virginia
M2.5
105 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2011
Irene
Category 1
75 mph
245 km
2003
Isabel
Category 1
75 mph
294 km
1986
Charley
Category 1
75 mph
284 km
1985
Gloria
Category 2
98 mph
267 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
457 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 369 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 28, 2002
EF4
87 km
38.0 mi
3
Sep 17, 2004
EF3
98 km
9.0 mi
0
Sep 24, 2001
EF3
54 km
17.5 mi
2
Jul 19, 1996
EF3
37 km
2.2 mi
0
May 22, 1983
EF3
42 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 7, 1980
EF3
73 km
1.5 mi
0
Sep 5, 1979
EF3
65 km
17.9 mi
1
Jan 26, 1978
EF3
92 km
0.7 mi
1
Apr 1, 1973
EF3
59 km
9.8 mi
0
Jun 9, 1961
EF3
64 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 16, 1961
EF3
82 km
0.1 mi
0
Apr 5, 1952
EF3
61 km
17.5 mi
0
Sep 1, 2021
EF2
83 km
11.4 mi
0
Apr 19, 2019
EF2
78 km
2.9 mi
0
Nov 2, 2018
EF2
15 km
5.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 2017
EF2
95 km
2.4 mi
0
Apr 28, 2011
EF2
94 km
2.6 mi
0
Sep 18, 2004
EF2
93 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
59 km
2.0 mi
0
Sep 17, 2004
EF2
87 km
8.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: SMITH RUN FIRE (1,908 acres, 2011).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2011
SMITH RUN FIRE
1,908
92 km
2012
POINT 2
1,126
100 km
1999
NCO
816
86 km
1984
UNNAMED
696
95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
32°F (-0°C)
2.7 in
Coldest
February
34°F (1°C)
2.6 in
Driest
March
43°F (6°C)
3.4 in
April
53°F (12°C)
3.2 in
May
62°F (17°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
June
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
74°F (23°C)
3.7 in
September
67°F (20°C)
3.3 in
October
56°F (13°C)
2.8 in
November
46°F (8°C)
3.2 in
December
37°F (3°C)
2.9 in
Urbana has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 32°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.6").