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Weather & Climate in Bethel, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 271 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 53.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 585 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 51.4°F |
| 5% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 585 ft (178 m) |
| Area | 4.1 sq mi (10.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,884/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.3603°N, 73.4139°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Western Connecticut Planning Region County |
| Nearest Airport | Hudson Valley Regional (POU) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 135 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 134 km | 4 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 149 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 136 km | 8 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 35 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 78 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 146 km | 7 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 65 km | 12 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 31 km | 9 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 15 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 146 km | 8 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Henri | Category 1 | 75 mph | 299 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 153 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 79 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
230 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 988 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 93 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 43 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 85 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 99 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 37 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 32 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 27 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2007 | EF2 | 100 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 50 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1999 | EF2 | 85 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1998 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 92 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 93 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | EF2 | 98 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 23 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | LONG ISLAND, NY | Meteorological | 0.3 m | — | 68 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 145 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 62 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 76 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 89 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 83 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 85 km |
| 2012 | CRESCENT BOW FIRE | 1,068 | 72 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 97 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 61 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 61 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.0 in |
Bethel has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.3").