Weather & Climate in Wells, NY
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wells experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 128.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 992 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
69°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 45.6°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (20°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 992 ft (302 m) |
| Area | 7.7 sq mi (20.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 77/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.3917°N, 74.3000°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Fulton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albany International (ALB) 51 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 31.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 71.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Apr 20, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M5.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 23, 2023 | New York | M3.6 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Jul 31, 1997 | 0 km WSW of Lyons Falls, New York | M3.2 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 55 km | 13 km |
| May 24, 2002 | 6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.1 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 89 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Jun 25, 2002 | 6 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.0 | 132 km | 9 km |
| Mar 2, 1995 | 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York | M3.0 | 94 km | 4 km |
| Oct 13, 1997 | 18 km NW of Cranberry Lake, New York | M3.0 | 120 km | 4 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 41 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 93 km | 7 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 91 km | 8 km |
| Jul 23, 1996 | 15 km NNE of Saranac Lake, New York | M2.8 | 120 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 1 | 86 mph | 206 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
110 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 125 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 65 km | 42.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 2023 | EF3 | 98 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2014 | EF3 | 64 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 68 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1983 | EF3 | 87 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 74 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF2 | 98 km | 5.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2013 | EF2 | 61 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1976 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1976 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1969 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 56 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 16 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 9 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 9 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 25 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.6 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 4.7 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 5.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (20°C) | 4.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 4.4 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 5.2 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 4.9 in | |
| December | 28°F (-3°C) | 5.3 in |
Wells has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 20°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (5.3") and February the driest (3.6").