Weather & Climate in Adams, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Adams experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.3 inches. The area receives 85.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 82% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 842 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.9°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 842 ft (257 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,279/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.6291°N, 73.1187°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Berkshire County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albany International (ALB) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 82.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 84.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 76 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 80 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 81 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 85 km | 13 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 82 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 82 km | 9 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 149 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 81 km | 7 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 119 km | 8 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 131 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 82 km | 16 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 80 km | 22 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 136 km | 4 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 138 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 197 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 85 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
221 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 110 fatalities, 2,122 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 54 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 91 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 34 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 80 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| May 22, 2014 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 66 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 62 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 90 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 72 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 50 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 85 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 59 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 89 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 65 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2013 | EF2 | 92 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 60 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 11 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.0 in | Driest |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 3.1 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.4 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.1 in |
Adams has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 23°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.0").