Weather & Climate in Arlington, MA

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

Arlington experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 69 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	50.5°F
	6% below US avg
January Average	28°F (-3°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	69 ft (21 m)
Area	5.1 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density	8,952/sq mi
Coordinates	42.4187°N, 71.1639°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Suffolk County County
Nearest Airport	General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) 9 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 42.6"

12% above US avg

Wettest Month (Nov) 4.13"

Driest Month (Jul) 3.27"

Air Quality

AQI Median	37.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	93.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	70.6 / 100
Community Resilience	95.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Hurricane	Relatively High
Earthquake	Relatively Moderate
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively High
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively High
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very High
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low
Coastal Flood	Relatively High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

32 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	137 km	16 km
Jan 27, 2025	9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine	M3.8	87 km	11 km
Oct 2, 1994	6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts	M3.7	92 km	10 km
Oct 6, 1992	1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire	M3.4	106 km	5 km
Jan 12, 2015	0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut	M3.3	96 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2000	5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts	M3.3	141 km	10 km
Oct 2, 1994	1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts	M3.3	87 km	10 km
Sep 26, 2010	2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire	M3.2	106 km	5 km
Mar 22, 1996	2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island	M3.1	81 km	12 km
Jan 10, 1999	2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts	M3.1	49 km	2 km
Jan 10, 1999	1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts	M3.0	49 km	2 km
Jan 27, 2000	3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire	M3.0	65 km	1 km
Jul 22, 2003	72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts	M3.0	119 km	10 km
Jan 8, 1998	52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts	M2.9	104 km	25 km
Jun 7, 2010	29 km SE of York Beach, Maine	M2.9	97 km	10 km
Mar 21, 2016	4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire	M2.8	106 km	7 km
Sep 28, 2002	2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire	M2.8	68 km	5 km
Mar 23, 1992	5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire	M2.8	126 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2008	25 km SE of York Beach, Maine	M2.8	94 km	0 km
Mar 9, 2020	50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine	M2.7	145 km	12 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
2014	Arthur	Category 1	75 mph	275 km
1991	Bob	Category 2	104 mph	58 km
1985	Gloria	Category 1	86 mph	147 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

178 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,334 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 9, 1953	EF4	83 km	34.9 mi	94
Jun 22, 1981	EF3	72 km	7.1 mi	0
Sep 29, 1974	EF3	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Oct 3, 1970	EF3	83 km	35.4 mi	1
May 20, 1963	EF3	93 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1953	EF3	57 km	28.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 1953	EF3	63 km	1.5 mi	0
Aug 18, 2023	EF2	77 km	9.1 mi	0
Jul 28, 2014	EF2	12 km	1.9 mi	0
Jul 24, 2008	EF2	82 km	50.5 mi	1
May 21, 2006	EF2	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 1999	EF2	99 km	7.5 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	94 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 3, 1997	EF2	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 7, 1986	EF2	76 km	4.0 mi	0
Aug 10, 1979	EF2	80 km	9.7 mi	2
May 3, 1976	EF2	83 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 9, 1972	EF2	81 km	9.7 mi	0
Jul 21, 1972	EF2	36 km	7.6 mi	0
Aug 28, 1970	EF2	94 km	1.0 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	41 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	28°F (-3°C)	4.0 in	Coldest
February	29°F (-2°C)	3.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	4.0 in
April	47°F (8°C)	3.7 in
May	58°F (14°C)	3.4 in
June	67°F (20°C)	3.4 in
July	74°F (23°C)	3.3 in	Warmest, Driest
August	72°F (22°C)	3.5 in
September	64°F (18°C)	3.6 in
October	53°F (11°C)	3.9 in
November	43°F (6°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
December	32°F (0°C)	3.9 in

Arlington has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 28°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.1") and July the driest (3.3").

View full profile of Arlington, MA →