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Weather & Climate in Bethel, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bethel has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 18°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 50.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 738 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 43.9°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 234 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 738 ft (225 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 335/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.4038°N, 70.7864°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Oxford County County |
| Nearest Airport | Berlin Regional (BML) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 34.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 65.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 67.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 |
| Avalanche | Relatively 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: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 90 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 150 km | 11 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Feb 26, 1999 | 0 km NW of China, Maine | M3.8 | 101 km | 3 km |
| Aug 21, 1996 | 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 51 km | 10 km |
| Jan 17, 2000 | 4 km NNE of Dixfield, Maine | M3.6 | 33 km | 16 km |
| Jan 3, 2000 | 4 km W of Leeds, Maine | M3.5 | 50 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Sep 7, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine | M3.2 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1994 | 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine | M3.1 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Nov 20, 1994 | 4 km WNW of Norway, Maine | M3.0 | 24 km | 5 km |
| Dec 25, 1999 | 4 km NE of Saint Albans, Maine | M3.0 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Feb 4, 2022 | 0 km SSW of Gorham, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 31 km | 8 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Jul 28, 2024 | 6 km W of Gardiner, Maine | M2.8 | 76 km | 8 km |
| Feb 12, 1995 | 1 km NNE of Turner, Maine | M2.8 | 45 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Feb 13, 1998 | 1 km SSE of Tamworth, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 72 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
1 hurricane (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 1 | — | 202 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
82 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 9 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 25, 1969 | EF3 | 94 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1996 | EF2 | 66 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1971 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 44 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 49 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1971 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1963 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1961 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 40 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2017 | EF1 | 39 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF1 | 8 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF1 | 82 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2010 | EF1 | 100 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF1 | 34 km | 4.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 2009 | EF1 | 24 km | 16.4 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 2002 | EF1 | 20 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2001 | EF1 | 9 km | 0.4 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 | — | 110 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 2.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 3.7 in |
Bethel has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 18°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.7 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (2.7").