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Weather & Climate in Fairfax, VT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fairfax experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.3 inches. The area receives 85.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31. The city sits at an elevation of 459 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 251 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 459 ft (140 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 469/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.6713°N, 73.0093°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Chittenden County County |
| Nearest Airport | Patrick Leahy Burlington International (BTV) 15 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 31.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 94.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| 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 High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Relatively Moderate |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
65 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 | 57 km | 5 km |
| May 17, 1991 | 7 km WNW of Rigaud, Canada | M4.4 | 143 km | 18 km |
| Oct 10, 2012 | 7 km ESE of Verchères, Canada | M3.9 | 122 km | 9 km |
| Jul 30, 1993 | 1 km NE of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada | M3.9 | 109 km | 8 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Oct 6, 2000 | 1 km WSW of Ormstown, Canada | M3.8 | 95 km | 18 km |
| Jul 5, 1991 | 7 km WSW of Sainte-Martine, Canada | M3.8 | 94 km | 18 km |
| Aug 21, 1996 | 12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 142 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Nov 16, 1993 | 5 km SSE of Saint-Édouard, Canada | M3.8 | 69 km | 17 km |
| Jan 9, 2006 | 2 km ESE of Franklin, Canada | M3.7 | 79 km | 13 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Apr 8, 2003 | 17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.7 | 106 km | 10 km |
| Jan 13, 2020 | 5 km SW of Franklin, Canada | M3.4 | 84 km | 6 km |
| Aug 20, 1995 | 4 km S of Chambly, Canada | M3.3 | 85 km | 18 km |
| May 17, 2021 | 5 km SW of L'Épiphanie, Canada | M3.3 | 133 km | 12 km |
| Jun 9, 1998 | 3 km N of Dannemora, New York | M3.3 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Jul 15, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Hawkesbury, Canada | M3.3 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Jun 1, 2002 | 3 km SW of Boisbriand, Canada | M3.2 | 122 km | 18 km |
| Aug 24, 2011 | 13 km ENE of Saint Regis Falls, New York | M3.2 | 109 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
36 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 11 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 8, 1983 | EF2 | 19 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1970 | EF2 | 21 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1963 | EF2 | 30 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1962 | EF2 | 22 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1961 | EF2 | 30 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF2 | 10 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1957 | EF2 | 38 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1952 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2022 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Mar 26, 2021 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2010 | EF1 | 47 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2009 | EF1 | 77 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2008 | EF1 | 15 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1993 | EF1 | 79 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1989 | EF1 | 58 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1986 | EF1 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1973 | EF1 | 31 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1973 | EF1 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1972 | EF1 | 17 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1965 | EF1 | 65 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: FLAT ROCK FIRE (658 acres, 2018).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2018 | FLAT ROCK FIRE | 658 | 54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 2.3 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 3.4 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.5 in |
Fairfax has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 18°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 37.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (1.7").