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Weather & Climate in Benson, VT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°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 31. The city sits at an elevation of 358 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 47.9°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 358 ft (109 m) |
| Area | 3.9 sq mi (10.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 49/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.7101°N, 73.3030°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rutland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rutland/Southern Vermont Regional (RUT) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 31.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 50.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Apr 20, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M5.3 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 130 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 3 km N of Dannemora, New York | M3.3 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 54 km | 13 km |
| May 24, 2002 | 6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.1 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 140 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 143 km | 9 km |
| Jun 25, 2002 | 6 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.0 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Mar 2, 1995 | 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York | M3.0 | 107 km | 4 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 67 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 142 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Mar 9, 1999 | 7 km NW of Dannemora, New York | M2.9 | 123 km | 10 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 |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 259 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 205 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
69 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 78 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 96 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1983 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1976 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 87 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 92 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1969 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1962 | EF2 | 73 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1962 | EF2 | 81 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1955 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1952 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 93 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 79 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 80 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2022 | EF1 | 41 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 2.1 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 2.4 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.3 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.2 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 2.8 in |
Benson has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 21°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.6 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (2.1").