Weather & Climate in Bar Harbor, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bar Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 71.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 91% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 131 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.3°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 131 ft (40 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 727/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3813°N, 68.2111°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hancock County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bangor International (BGR) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 91.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 55.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 26, 1999 | 0 km NW of China, Maine | M3.8 | 105 km | 3 km |
| Feb 2, 2016 | 8 km E of Lubec, Maine | M3.6 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.6 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 7 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.6 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2023 | 7 km ESE of Dedham, Maine | M3.3 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Oct 25, 2001 | 4 km S of Howland, Maine | M3.3 | 98 km | 9 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jul 25, 2010 | 35 km S of Fundy Bay, Canada | M3.2 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine | M3.2 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Oct 15, 2003 | 11 km E of Saint Andrews, Canada | M3.1 | 129 km | 18 km |
| Sep 5, 1994 | 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine | M3.1 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2010 | 7 km WSW of Dedham, Maine | M3.0 | 54 km | 4 km |
| Aug 17, 2022 | 3 km SE of Centerville, Maine | M3.0 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Dec 25, 1999 | 4 km NE of Saint Albans, Maine | M3.0 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 2021 | 4 km ESE of Centerville, Maine | M2.9 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Aug 11, 2022 | Maine | M2.8 | 58 km | 4 km |
| Aug 11, 2022 | 4 km E of Centerville, Maine | M2.8 | 59 km | 6 km |
| Jul 28, 2024 | 6 km W of Gardiner, Maine | M2.8 | 132 km | 8 km |
| Mar 25, 2011 | 6 km NNE of Burlington, Maine | M2.7 | 99 km | 9 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 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 75 mph | 254 km |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 75 mph | 173 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 1 | - | 271 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
11 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 15, 1961 | EF2 | 50 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1959 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1991 | EF1 | 95 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1977 | EF1 | 38 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1969 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1968 | EF1 | 56 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1965 | EF1 | 44 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1959 | EF1 | 52 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1959 | EF1 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF1 | 56 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF1 | 66 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2008 | MAINE | Avalanche | 3.6 m | - | 135 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
4 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SUNKEN STR (1,201 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | SUNKEN STR | 1,201 | 94 km |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 901 | 53 km |
| 2006 | CENTERVILLE FIRE | 705 | 53 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 627 | 48 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 5.9 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.7 in |
Bar Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.9") and July the driest (3.3").