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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 Average | 48.2°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 266 ft (81 m) |
| Area | 27.6 sq mi (71.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,284/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.3635°N, 72.5073°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hampshire County County |
| Nearest Airport | Westfield-Barnes Regional (BAF) 18 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 94.0 / 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").