Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Belfast experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 234 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 56.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 68.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 200 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average
45.5°F
16% below US avg
January Average
21°F (-6°C)
July Average
68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days
234 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
200 ft (61 m)
Area
38.4 sq mi (99.4 km²)
Population Density
205/sq mi
Coordinates
44.4259°N, 69.0264°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Waldo County County
Nearest Airport
Knox County Regional (RKD) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall56.2"
48% above US avg
Snowfall68.7"
Wettest Month (Nov)5.24"
Driest Month (Feb)3.27"
Air Quality
AQI Median
34.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
40.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
32.0 / 100
Community Resilience
82.5 / 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 Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Low
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
41 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
40 km
3 km
Sep 16, 1994
7 km SE of Lee, Maine
M3.6
117 km
5 km
Jan 17, 2000
4 km NNE of Dixfield, Maine
M3.6
113 km
16 km
Sep 16, 1994
9 km SE of Lee, Maine
M3.6
117 km
5 km
Jan 3, 2000
4 km W of Leeds, Maine
M3.5
92 km
10 km
Oct 25, 2001
4 km S of Howland, Maine
M3.3
91 km
9 km
Sep 16, 1994
9 km SE of Lee, Maine
M3.3
117 km
5 km
Jan 14, 2023
7 km ESE of Dedham, Maine
M3.3
44 km
10 km
Sep 16, 1994
9 km SE of Lee, Maine
M3.3
117 km
5 km
Sep 7, 2000
7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine
M3.2
29 km
5 km
Sep 5, 1994
13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine
M3.1
65 km
5 km
Dec 25, 1999
4 km NE of Saint Albans, Maine
M3.0
63 km
5 km
Mar 30, 2010
7 km WSW of Dedham, Maine
M3.0
35 km
4 km
Aug 17, 2022
3 km SE of Centerville, Maine
M3.0
114 km
5 km
Nov 20, 1994
4 km WNW of Norway, Maine
M3.0
127 km
5 km
Jan 17, 2021
4 km ESE of Centerville, Maine
M2.9
115 km
5 km
Aug 11, 2022
Maine
M2.8
115 km
4 km
Feb 12, 1995
1 km NNE of Turner, Maine
M2.8
99 km
5 km
Jul 28, 2024
6 km W of Gardiner, Maine
M2.8
70 km
8 km
Aug 11, 2022
4 km E of Centerville, Maine
M2.8
115 km
6 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 1.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2008
Kyle
Category 1
75 mph
236 km
1991
Bob
Category 1
-
235 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
43 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 8 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 9, 2000
EF2
68 km
3.0 mi
0
Jul 8, 1996
EF2
77 km
1.5 mi
0
Nov 7, 1971
EF2
69 km
4.1 mi
0
Jul 31, 1971
EF2
98 km
1.9 mi
0
Jul 31, 1971
EF2
76 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 31, 1971
EF2
91 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 20, 1962
EF2
81 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 4, 1961
EF2
68 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 16, 1959
EF2
77 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 15, 2014
EF1
62 km
2.8 mi
0
Jun 1, 2011
EF1
96 km
8.4 mi
0
Nov 24, 2005
EF1
93 km
3.8 mi
0
Jun 21, 1997
EF1
68 km
0.2 mi
0
Jun 28, 1991
EF1
61 km
0.7 mi
0
Jun 18, 1989
EF1
88 km
1.3 mi
0
Jul 14, 1988
EF1
99 km
0.2 mi
0
Aug 14, 1977
EF1
32 km
0.3 mi
0
Jun 12, 1973
EF1
100 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 11, 1971
EF1
99 km
0.2 mi
0
Oct 3, 1970
EF1
51 km
9.5 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
-
88 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
21°F (-6°C)
3.5 in
Coldest
February
22°F (-6°C)
3.3 in
Driest
March
32°F (-0°C)
3.9 in
April
42°F (6°C)
4.3 in
May
53°F (12°C)
4.1 in
June
62°F (17°C)
3.6 in
July
68°F (20°C)
3.3 in
Warmest
August
66°F (19°C)
3.3 in
September
58°F (14°C)
3.6 in
October
47°F (9°C)
4.3 in
November
37°F (3°C)
5.2 in
Wettest
December
26°F (-4°C)
4.7 in
Belfast has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 21°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (3.3").