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Weather & Climate in Cornish, ME

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

Cornish has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 49.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 77.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 452 feet.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average43.5°F
19% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days246 days/yr

Geography

Elevation452 ft (138 m)
Area3.1 sq mi (8.1 km²)
Population Density355/sq mi
Coordinates43.8001°N, 70.7951°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyCumberland County County
Nearest AirportEastern Slopes Regional (FRY)
15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 49.7"
31% above US avg
Snowfall 77.9"
Wettest Month (Nov) 5.12"
Driest Month (Sep) 3.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score77.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience98.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

47 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Oct 16, 2012 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine M4.7 25 km 16 km
Aug 21, 1996 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire M3.8 62 km 10 km
Jun 16, 1995 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire M3.8 105 km 5 km
Feb 26, 1999 0 km NW of China, Maine M3.8 127 km 3 km
Jan 27, 2025 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine M3.8 84 km 11 km
Jan 17, 2000 4 km NNE of Dixfield, Maine M3.6 90 km 16 km
Jan 3, 2000 4 km W of Leeds, Maine M3.5 76 km 10 km
Oct 6, 1992 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.4 82 km 5 km
Sep 7, 2000 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine M3.2 129 km 5 km
Sep 26, 2010 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.2 83 km 5 km
Jan 10, 1999 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.1 108 km 2 km
Sep 5, 1994 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine M3.1 126 km 5 km
Jan 27, 2000 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire M3.0 94 km 1 km
Nov 20, 1994 4 km WNW of Norway, Maine M3.0 51 km 5 km
Jan 10, 1999 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.0 108 km 2 km
Jun 7, 2010 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.9 95 km 10 km
Feb 4, 2022 0 km SSW of Gorham, New Hampshire M2.9 72 km 8 km
Jan 8, 1998 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts M2.9 122 km 25 km
Apr 25, 2023 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire M2.9 55 km 8 km
Jul 28, 2024 6 km W of Gardiner, Maine M2.8 89 km 8 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 136 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 86 mph 267 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

94 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 33 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 25, 1969 EF3 73 km 5.7 mi 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 93 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 24, 2008 EF2 83 km 50.5 mi 1
May 21, 2006 EF2 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 6, 1999 EF2 70 km 7.5 mi 0
Jul 8, 1996 EF2 85 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF2 51 km 8.7 mi 0
May 3, 1976 EF2 75 km 1.0 mi 0
May 11, 1973 EF2 96 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 3, 1972 EF2 66 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 31, 1971 EF2 89 km 1.9 mi 0
Jul 31, 1971 EF2 93 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 31, 1971 EF2 81 km 0.5 mi 0
Oct 10, 1966 EF2 41 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 18, 1963 EF2 39 km 0.1 mi 0
May 14, 1963 EF2 58 km 8.7 mi 0
Jun 19, 1957 EF2 78 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 1, 2017 EF1 26 km 0.3 mi 0
Jul 1, 2017 EF1 28 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 1, 2017 EF1 30 km 2.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Tsunami History

1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).

Year Location Cause Max Wave Deaths Distance
2008 MAINE Avalanche 3.6 m 88 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 3.5 in Coldest
February 22°F (-6°C) 3.6 in
March 32°F (-0°C) 3.9 in
April 43°F (6°C) 4.3 in
May 54°F (12°C) 3.9 in
June 63°F (17°C) 3.8 in
July 67°F (20°C) 3.6 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 3.6 in
September 58°F (14°C) 3.4 in Driest
October 47°F (8°C) 4.1 in
November 37°F (3°C) 5.1 in Wettest
December 25°F (-4°C) 4.4 in

Cornish has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 18°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.1") and September the driest (3.4").

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