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Weather & Climate in Bristol, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bristol experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 73°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 53.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 413 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 413 ft (126 m) |
| Area | 26.4 sq mi (68.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,315/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6816°N, 72.9407°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Capitol Planning Region County |
| Nearest Airport | Bradley International (BDL) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 48 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 141 km | 12 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 141 km | 15 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 138 km | 7 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 118 km | 12 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 105 km | 10 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 146 km | 22 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 143 km | 16 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 84 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 146 km | 18 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 15 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 137 km | 8 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 52 km | 4 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 124 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 27 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
250 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 19 fatalities, 985 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 70 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 34 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 32 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 91 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 49 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 97 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 96 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 21 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 65 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 20 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1999 | EF2 | 84 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 89 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 59 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | EF2 | 90 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami 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 | - | 99 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CRESCENT BOW FIRE (1,068 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | CRESCENT BOW FIRE | 1,068 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 42°F (5°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 31°F (-1°C) | 4.1 in |
Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (3.4").