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Weather & Climate in Athol, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Athol experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 24°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 47.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.2 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 525 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.1°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 525 ft (160 m) |
| Area | 8.5 sq mi (21.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,064/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5934°N, 72.2302°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Franklin County County |
| Nearest Airport | Worcester Regional (ORH) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 33.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very 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
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 145 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 28 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 73 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 26 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 97 km | 5 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 | 106 km | 2 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 138 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 105 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 97 km | 1 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 145 km | 8 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 148 km | 8 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 84 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 51 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 70 km | 4 km |
| Feb 15, 2018 | 0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 106 km | 7 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 65 km | 2 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 | 142 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 90 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
239 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 109 fatalities, 2,035 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 87 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 99 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 15 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 70 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 19 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 30 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 36 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 77 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 60 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 97 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 15 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 90 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 50 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.5 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 | 77 km |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.3 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.4 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.7 in |
Athol has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in February to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (3.0").