Weather & Climate in Belfast, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Belfast has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.8 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. The city sits at an elevation of 200 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 44.1°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
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
Air Quality
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 | 20°F (-7°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 3.2 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | Driest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 5.4 in | Wettest |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.7 in |
Belfast has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 20°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with October being the wettest month (5.4") and August the driest (3.1").