Weather & Climate in Bristol, VT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bristol has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 112.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 582 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
65°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 41.2°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 65°F (18°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 582 ft (177 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 839/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.1377°N, 73.0913°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Addison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Patrick Leahy Burlington International (BTV) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 26.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
53 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 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jul 30, 1993 | 1 km NE of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada | M3.9 | 149 km | 8 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Oct 6, 2000 | 1 km WSW of Ormstown, Canada | M3.8 | 133 km | 18 km |
| Aug 21, 1996 | 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Jul 5, 1991 | 7 km WSW of Sainte-Martine, Canada | M3.8 | 137 km | 18 km |
| Nov 16, 1993 | 5 km SSE of Saint-Édouard, Canada | M3.8 | 120 km | 17 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jan 9, 2006 | 2 km ESE of Franklin, Canada | M3.7 | 117 km | 13 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2020 | 5 km SW of Franklin, Canada | M3.4 | 118 km | 6 km |
| Aug 20, 1995 | 4 km S of Chambly, Canada | M3.3 | 142 km | 18 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 3 km N of Dannemora, New York | M3.3 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 120 km | 5 km |
| May 24, 2002 | 6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.1 | 62 km | 10 km |
| Feb 1, 2024 | 6 km WNW of Huntingdon, Canada | M3.1 | 141 km | 8 km |
| Sep 21, 1995 | 3 km W of Huntingdon, Canada | M3.1 | 137 km | 18 km |
| May 6, 2020 | 9 km SE of Bedford, Canada | M3.1 | 104 km | 14 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 104 km | 13 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 1 | - | 270 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 250 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
51 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 8, 1983 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1970 | EF2 | 74 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | EF2 | 81 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1963 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1962 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1961 | EF2 | 88 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF2 | 57 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1957 | EF2 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1955 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1952 | EF2 | 76 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 83 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2022 | EF1 | 18 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2021 | EF1 | 13 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2020 | EF1 | 99 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF1 | 76 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2009 | EF1 | 52 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2008 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1999 | EF1 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 4, 1992 | EF1 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1989 | EF1 | 88 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: FLAT ROCK FIRE (658 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | FLAT ROCK FIRE | 658 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 2.5 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.2 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 4.6 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 5.2 in | |
| July | 65°F (18°C) | 5.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 5.0 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 5.1 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.7 in |
Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 16°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (5.3") and February the driest (2.5").