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 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 275 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 39.9 inches. The area receives 45.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41. The city sits at an elevation of 769 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.3°F
7% below US avg
January Average
25°F (-4°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
769 ft (234 m)
Area
5.3 sq mi (13.8 km²)
Population Density
358/sq mi
Coordinates
41.7186°N, 85.8247°W
Timezone
America/Indiana/Indianapolis
County
Elkhart County County
Nearest Airport
South Bend International (SBN) 25 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.9"
5% above US avg
Snowfall45.2"
Wettest Month (Jun)3.86"
Driest Month (Feb)1.69"
Air Quality
AQI Median
41.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
45.3 / 100
Community Resilience
61.1 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Very Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.2.
May 2, 2015
5 km S of Galesburg, Michigan
M4.2
66 km
4 km
Jun 30, 2015
5 km NNE of Burlington, Michigan
M3.3
80 km
5 km
Jan 26, 2012
5 km NE of Topeka, Indiana
M3.0
32 km
5 km
Jun 12, 2015
6 km NW of Convoy, Ohio
M2.6
123 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
441 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 143 fatalities, 1,817 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Apr 2, 1977
EF4
66 km
12.4 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
69 km
80.5 mi
21
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
30 km
21.2 mi
31
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
15 km
21.6 mi
5
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
35 km
37.0 mi
36
Apr 11, 1965
EF4
54 km
90.3 mi
23
May 27, 2019
EF3
86 km
13.7 mi
0
Aug 24, 2016
EF3
99 km
5.2 mi
0
Oct 18, 2007
EF3
55 km
20.3 mi
0
Oct 24, 2001
EF3
52 km
47.0 mi
1
Mar 27, 1991
EF3
66 km
21.0 mi
1
May 15, 1986
EF3
75 km
1.2 mi
0
May 13, 1980
EF3
65 km
10.6 mi
5
May 13, 1980
EF3
65 km
21.0 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
95 km
12.6 mi
0
Mar 12, 1976
EF3
84 km
12.1 mi
0
Apr 3, 1974
EF3
44 km
36.2 mi
5
Nov 26, 1965
EF3
56 km
1.0 mi
0
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
75 km
35.6 mi
10
Apr 11, 1965
EF3
75 km
14.2 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 3.0 m (10 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1954
MICHIGAN CITY, IN (LAKE MICHIGAN)
Avalanche
3.0 m
7
88 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: ALLEGAN6 (1,077 acres, 1988).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1988
ALLEGAN6
1,077
97 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
25°F (-4°C)
1.9 in
Coldest
February
26°F (-3°C)
1.7 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
2.7 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.5 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.5 in
June
68°F (20°C)
3.9 in
Wettest
July
73°F (23°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.7 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.6 in
October
52°F (11°C)
2.8 in
November
40°F (4°C)
2.9 in
December
28°F (-2°C)
2.8 in
Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (1.7").
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