Weather & Climate in Wilkes-Barre, PA

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

Wilkes-Barre experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°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 38.7 inches. The area receives 45.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 548 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	51.3°F
	5% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-2°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	548 ft (167 m)
Area	7.3 sq mi (18.9 km²)
Population Density	6,455/sq mi
Coordinates	41.2466°N, 75.8757°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Luzerne County County
Nearest Airport	Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International (AVP) 10 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 38.7"

2% above US avg

Snowfall 45.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.33"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.44"

Air Quality

AQI Median	40.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	91.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	67.8 / 100
Community Resilience	78.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively Moderate
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	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

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

Apr 5, 2024	2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake	M4.8	112 km	3 km
Jan 16, 1994	2 km W of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.6	103 km	5 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km E of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M4.2	103 km	5 km
Apr 5, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M3.7	113 km	4 km
Aug 26, 2003	4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey	M3.1	96 km	3 km
Nov 14, 1997	0 km S of Rothsville, Pennsylvania	M3.0	126 km	5 km
Feb 3, 2009	1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey	M3.0	121 km	0 km
Apr 27, 2024	7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.9	113 km	5 km
May 24, 2024	6 km E of Califon, New Jersey	M2.9	111 km	7 km
Jan 16, 1994	0 km SSE of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania	M2.9	104 km	5 km
Jun 10, 2025	10 km NW of Forksville, Pennsylvania	M2.8	75 km	8 km
May 10, 1993	1 km NW of Whitfield, Pennsylvania	M2.8	101 km	5 km
Mar 11, 1995	0 km ENE of Landisville, Pennsylvania	M2.7	135 km	5 km
Jan 25, 2015	4 km ESE of Downingtown, Pennsylvania	M2.6	140 km	2 km
Apr 5, 2024	6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey	M2.6	112 km	6 km
Oct 28, 1996	2 km W of Reinholds, Pennsylvania	M2.6	111 km	5 km
Jan 18, 1994	3 km SE of Clay, Pennsylvania	M2.6	121 km	5 km
Apr 10, 2024	5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	115 km	9 km
May 1, 2024	1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey	M2.6	116 km	5 km
Aug 14, 2015	3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey	M2.6	122 km	8 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	228 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

252 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 94 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 2, 1998	EF3	44 km	26.0 mi	2
May 31, 1998	EF3	94 km	62.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	65 km	20.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF3	85 km	8.3 mi	0
May 2, 1983	EF3	100 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1981	EF3	59 km	3.3 mi	0
Mar 21, 1976	EF3	65 km	0.5 mi	0
Apr 14, 2019	EF2	45 km	3.7 mi	0
Jun 13, 2018	EF2	86 km	5.2 mi	0
Jun 13, 2018	EF2	2 km	2.9 mi	0
Feb 25, 2017	EF2	9 km	12.5 mi	0
Jul 8, 2014	EF2	61 km	6.7 mi	0
Jul 23, 2010	EF2	63 km	25.7 mi	0
Jul 29, 2009	EF2	63 km	4.6 mi	0
Dec 1, 2006	EF2	25 km	20.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	61 km	3.0 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Nov 8, 1996	EF2	58 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 15, 1992	EF2	42 km	1.5 mi	0
Sep 18, 1991	EF2	66 km	4.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.

Year	Location	Cause	Max Wave	Deaths	Distance
1895	HIGH BRIDGE, NJ	Earthquake	—	—	105 km

Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Wildfire History

8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: 16 MILE (7,896 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	16 MILE	7,896	61 km
2009	PENOBSCOT	2,091	6 km
2004	CRYSTAL LAKE	1,838	10 km
2020	SEVEN PINES	790	47 km
2015	RAZOR FIRE	728	55 km
2015	PIPELINE 1	666	22 km
2016	BEAR TOWN	649	55 km
1999	WORTHINGTO	514	70 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-2°C)	2.5 in
February	26°F (-3°C)	2.4 in	Coldest, Driest
March	35°F (2°C)	2.9 in
April	46°F (8°C)	3.4 in
May	57°F (14°C)	4.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	4.3 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	3.8 in
September	62°F (17°C)	3.7 in
October	51°F (11°C)	3.1 in
November	41°F (5°C)	3.4 in
December	31°F (-1°C)	2.9 in

Wilkes-Barre has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in February to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 40.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.4").

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