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Weather & Climate in Canaan, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Canaan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 49.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 720 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.1°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 720 ft (219 m) |
| Area | 1.7 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 741/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0401°N, 73.3329°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Columbia County County |
| Nearest Airport | Westfield-Barnes Regional (BAF) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 68.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 57.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Avalanche | 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: M4.0.
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 87 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 142 km | 13 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 90 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 87 km | 9 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 87 km | 7 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 95 km | 22 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 92 km | 16 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 102 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 95 km | 18 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 87 km | 9 km |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 15 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 86 km | 8 km |
| Feb 27, 2008 | 2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York | M2.7 | 112 km | 6 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 | 172 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 47 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
246 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 1,018 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 20 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 82 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 58 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 43 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 49 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 47 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 63 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 57 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 96 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 56 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 32 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 58 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 66 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 17 km | 4.5 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 | — | 139 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,224 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 86 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 93 km |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 77 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 88 km |
| 2024 | WHITEHOUSE | 607 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.9 in |
Canaan has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 22°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (3.2").