Weather & Climate in Dorset, VT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dorset has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 75.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. 91% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 897 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 897 ft (273 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 168/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.2605°N, 73.1084°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Bennington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rutland/Southern Vermont Regional (RUT) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 91.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 27.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 72.4 / 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 | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
39 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Apr 20, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M5.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 122 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 124 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 43 km | 13 km |
| May 24, 2002 | 6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.1 | 146 km | 10 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 110 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 112 km | 9 km |
| Jun 25, 2002 | 6 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.0 | 146 km | 9 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 99 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 112 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 143 km | 8 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 50 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 | 225 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 153 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
129 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 141 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 97 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 66 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 31 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 91 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 81 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 32 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1976 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1975 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 54 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1973 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1972 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1969 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1969 | EF2 | 7 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | EF2 | 52 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1966 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1963 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.0 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 | 60 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 4.5 in |
Dorset has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 17°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (3.4").