Weather & Climate in Chester, VT

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Chester experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°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 40.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31. The city sits at an elevation of 744 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.5°F
	16% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	744 ft (227 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density	827/sq mi
Coordinates	43.2692°N, 72.5963°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Sullivan County County
Nearest Airport	Rutland/Southern Vermont Regional (RUT) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 40.3"

6% above US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.21"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.95"

Air Quality

AQI Median	31.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	37.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	14.1 / 100
Community Resilience	69.7 / 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 Moderate
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Aug 21, 1996	12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire	M3.8	143 km	10 km
Jun 16, 1995	8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire	M3.8	126 km	5 km
Oct 2, 1994	6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts	M3.7	106 km	10 km
Oct 6, 1992	1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire	M3.4	83 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2000	5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts	M3.3	131 km	10 km
Oct 2, 1994	1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts	M3.3	106 km	10 km
Sep 26, 2010	2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire	M3.2	82 km	5 km
Dec 13, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M3.2	145 km	10 km
Jan 10, 1999	2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts	M3.1	140 km	2 km
Mar 11, 2020	0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York	M3.1	84 km	13 km
May 18, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M3.1	146 km	9 km
Jul 24, 2007	12 km SSW of Altamont, New York	M3.1	144 km	15 km
Jan 27, 2000	3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire	M3.0	119 km	1 km
Jan 10, 1999	1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts	M3.0	139 km	2 km
Oct 21, 2009	15 km N of Medusa, New York	M2.9	145 km	7 km
Apr 25, 2023	4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire	M2.9	106 km	8 km
Sep 29, 1994	13 km WNW of North Creek, New York	M2.9	135 km	16 km
May 14, 2007	5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont	M2.8	71 km	8 km
Mar 21, 2016	4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire	M2.8	67 km	7 km
Mar 23, 1992	5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire	M2.8	81 km	5 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	186 km
1985	Gloria	Category 1	86 mph	153 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

136 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 94 fatalities, 1,266 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 9, 1953	EF4	95 km	34.9 mi	94
Jun 22, 1981	EF3	97 km	7.1 mi	0
Aug 25, 1969	EF3	98 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 20, 1968	EF3	25 km	1.0 mi	0
May 20, 1963	EF3	58 km	14.0 mi	0
Jul 11, 2006	EF2	82 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 5, 2002	EF2	15 km	0.1 mi	0
May 31, 1998	EF2	59 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 3, 1997	EF2	70 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1976	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 13, 1975	EF2	99 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 28, 1973	EF2	88 km	2.3 mi	0
May 11, 1973	EF2	62 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 27, 1972	EF2	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 9, 1972	EF2	89 km	9.7 mi	0
Jul 3, 1972	EF2	96 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1969	EF2	52 km	1.5 mi	0
May 29, 1969	EF2	42 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 17, 1968	EF2	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1966	EF2	11 km	1.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	EAST MOUNTAIN	964	76 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	3.4 in	Coldest
February	21°F (-6°C)	3.0 in	Driest
March	31°F (-1°C)	3.6 in
April	42°F (6°C)	3.8 in
May	55°F (13°C)	4.2 in
June	63°F (17°C)	4.0 in
July	69°F (21°C)	3.9 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
September	58°F (14°C)	3.7 in
October	47°F (8°C)	3.8 in
November	36°F (2°C)	4.1 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	3.7 in

Chester has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 21°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.2 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (3.0").

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