Weather & Climate in Chester Center, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Chester Center experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 27.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 195 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.7°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 195 ft (59 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 700/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.4030°N, 72.4569°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region County |
| Nearest Airport | Bradley International (BDL) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 90.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
19 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 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 106 km | 12 km |
| Apr 9, 2019 | 63 km SSE of Sagaponack, New York | M3.0 | 119 km | 7 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 55 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 139 km | 12 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 104 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 7 km | 4 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York | M2.6 | 98 km | 7 km |
| Oct 27, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York | M2.6 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut | M2.6 | 61 km | 9 km |
| Apr 22, 1996 | 3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts | M2.6 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 7, 2002 | 3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jan 23, 1990 | 3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 15, 1992 | 5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York | M2.5 | 143 km | 7 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2021 | Henri | Category 1 | 75 mph | 255 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 261 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 75 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 62 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
191 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 931 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 37 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 56 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 81 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 58 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 20 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF2 | 86 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1999 | EF2 | 45 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 87 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 59 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF2 | 93 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1984 | EF2 | 51 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1976 | EF2 | 87 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1975 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1973 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 1973 | EF2 | 45 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1973 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 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 | - | 86 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 | 65 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.9 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 5.8 in | Wettest |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 3.7 in | |
| December | 33°F (1°C) | 4.7 in |
Chester Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 28°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 52.0 inches, with September being the wettest month (5.8") and February the driest (3.5").