Weather & Climate in Cranston, RI
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cranston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31. 93% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 213 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
74°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.1°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 213 ft (65 m) |
| Area | 28.4 sq mi (73.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,915/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7697°N, 71.4850°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Kent County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rhode Island Tf Green International (PVD) 4 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 31.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 93.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 69.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Very 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 | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 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 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 116 km | 10 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 126 km | 2 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 22 km | 12 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 139 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 126 km | 2 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Oct 11, 1990 | 5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 78 km | 13 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 87 km | 2 km |
| Feb 15, 2018 | 0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 134 km | 7 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 130 km | 4 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 96 km | 4 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut | M2.6 | 33 km | 9 km |
| Apr 22, 1996 | 3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts | M2.6 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jun 7, 2002 | 3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jan 23, 1990 | 3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jan 21, 2000 | 3 km W of Fremont, New Hampshire | M2.5 | 138 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 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 | 267 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 230 km |
| 1996 | Edouard | Category 1 | 81 mph | 279 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 42 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 110 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
177 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 102 fatalities, 1,825 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 99 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 96 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 93 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 84 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 50 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF2 | 8 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 80 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF2 | 3 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | EF2 | 81 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| Sep 6, 1973 | EF2 | 87 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1970 | EF2 | 52 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1967 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1966 | EF2 | 64 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1965 | EF2 | 85 km | 6.6 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 83 km |
| 2008 | NOMANS AERIAL RX | 546 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 32°F (0°C) | 3.4 in | |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 66°F (19°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 36°F (2°C) | 4.7 in |
Cranston has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 30°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (2.9").