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Weather & Climate in Amherst, NH
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 46.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 57.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 257 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 47.7°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 257 ft (78 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,036/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.8636°N, 71.6238°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hillsborough County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manchester Boston Regional (MHT) 11 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
39 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 113 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 89 km | 11 km |
| Aug 21, 1996 | 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 79 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 74 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 134 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 53 km | 2 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 51 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 39 km | 1 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 129 km | 25 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 9 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 46 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 104 km | 0 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 | 96 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 144 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
210 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 99 fatalities, 1,319 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 63 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 52 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 74 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 39 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 55 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 78 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 71 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 41 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 54 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 32 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 21 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF2 | 73 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | EF2 | 73 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 70 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1973 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.8 in |
Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (3.1").