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Weather & Climate in Amherst, NS
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Amherst has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 228 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 55.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 72.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 75 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.3°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 228 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 75 ft (23 m) |
| Area | 4.7 sq mi (12.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,019/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8335°N, 64.1987°W |
| Timezone | America/Halifax |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.8.
| Nov 28, 2013 | 55 km NNW of Sussex, Canada | M2.8 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Mar 7, 2008 | 32 km S of Miramichi, Canada | M2.7 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2018 | 54 km NNW of Sussex, Canada | M2.6 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Feb 2, 2018 | 55 km NNW of Sussex, Canada | M2.6 | 133 km | 2 km |
| Nov 28, 2013 | 60 km SSW of Miramichi, Canada | M2.6 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Apr 24, 2015 | 67 km NW of Salisbury, Canada | M2.5 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 75 mph | 86 km |
| 2009 | Bill | Category 1 | 75 mph | 208 km |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 75 mph | 276 km |
| 2003 | Juan | Category 2 | 98 mph | 36 km |
| 2002 | Gustav | Category 1 | 92 mph | 253 km |
| 1996 | Hortense | Category 1 | 81 mph | 176 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 7.0 m (23 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1917 | HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA | Earthquake + Landslide | 7.0 m | 2,000 | 142 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
Amherst has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 19°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.0 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.3").