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Weather & Climate in Amherst Town, MA

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

Amherst Town 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 46.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 266 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average48.2°F
11% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation266 ft (81 m)
Area27.6 sq mi (71.5 km²)
Population Density1,284/sq mi
Coordinates42.3635°N, 72.5073°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyHampshire County County
Nearest AirportWestfield-Barnes Regional (BAF)
18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 46.6"
23% above US avg
Snowfall 36.5"
Wettest Month (May) 4.13"
Driest Month (Feb) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score69.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability12.8 / 100
Community Resilience94.0 / 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 Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

36 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Oct 2, 1994 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.7 19 km 10 km
Oct 6, 1992 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.4 131 km 5 km
Oct 2, 1994 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.3 24 km 10 km
Jan 12, 2015 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut M3.3 85 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2000 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts M3.3 39 km 10 km
Sep 26, 2010 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.2 130 km 5 km
Dec 13, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M3.2 133 km 10 km
Mar 22, 1996 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island M3.1 129 km 12 km
Jan 10, 1999 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.1 136 km 2 km
Mar 11, 2020 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York M3.1 138 km 13 km
May 18, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M3.1 134 km 9 km
Jul 24, 2007 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York M3.1 135 km 15 km
Jan 27, 2000 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire M3.0 130 km 1 km
Jan 10, 1999 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.0 135 km 2 km
Oct 21, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M2.9 133 km 7 km
Mar 21, 2016 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire M2.8 117 km 7 km
Mar 23, 1992 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire M2.8 144 km 5 km
Sep 28, 2002 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire M2.8 85 km 5 km
Aug 27, 2011 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York M2.8 135 km 22 km
Mar 22, 2009 9 km SW of Altamont, New York M2.8 135 km 16 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 141 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 86 mph 57 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

254 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 110 fatalities, 2,133 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 29, 1995 EF4 78 km 11.5 mi 3
Oct 3, 1979 EF4 55 km 11.3 mi 3
Aug 28, 1973 EF4 75 km 9.8 mi 4
Jun 9, 1953 EF4 30 km 34.9 mi 94
Jun 1, 2011 EF3 36 km 37.6 mi 3
Jun 22, 1981 EF3 42 km 7.1 mi 0
Sep 13, 1971 EF3 14 km 0.5 mi 0
Oct 3, 1970 EF3 28 km 35.4 mi 1
Aug 20, 1968 EF3 85 km 1.0 mi 0
May 20, 1963 EF3 68 km 14.0 mi 0
May 10, 1954 EF3 49 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 64 km 28.0 mi 0
Aug 21, 1951 EF3 87 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 18, 2023 EF2 99 km 9.1 mi 0
Jul 11, 2006 EF2 23 km 2.9 mi 0
Jul 21, 2003 EF2 98 km 1.3 mi 0
Jun 5, 2002 EF2 93 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 23, 2001 EF2 81 km 0.5 mi 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 97 km 8.0 mi 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 87 km 0.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 EAST MOUNTAIN 964 67 km
2005 THE RANGE 760 72 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-5°C) 3.5 in Coldest
February 24°F (-4°C) 3.0 in Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 3.5 in
April 45°F (7°C) 3.9 in
May 57°F (14°C) 4.1 in Wettest
June 65°F (19°C) 3.9 in
July 72°F (22°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 4.0 in
September 61°F (16°C) 3.8 in
October 50°F (10°C) 3.8 in
November 40°F (5°C) 4.0 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 3.7 in

Amherst Town has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (3.0").

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