Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Groton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 31°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 275 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 39.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 34 feet.
Temperature
31°F Jan (-1°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average
31°F (-1°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
34 ft (10 m)
Area
3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²)
Population Density
3,033/sq mi
Coordinates
41.3251°N, 72.0669°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region County
Nearest Airport
Rhode Island Tf Green International (PVD) 43 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall39.3"
3% above US avg
Wettest Month (Nov)4.57"
Driest Month (Jul)3.31"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
88.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
26.8 / 100
Community Resilience
86.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 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
115 km
10 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
116 km
10 km
Jun 16, 2000
5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts
M3.3
107 km
10 km
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
49 km
5 km
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
80 km
12 km
Apr 9, 2019
63 km SSE of Sagaponack, New York
M3.0
103 km
7 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
130 km
10 km
Mar 10, 1992
2 km SW of Napeague, New York
M2.8
37 km
10 km
Oct 13, 1999
2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts
M2.7
146 km
2 km
Oct 11, 1990
5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts
M2.7
141 km
13 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
134 km
9 km
Aug 14, 2014
6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut
M2.7
36 km
4 km
Jan 13, 2015
2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut
M2.6
49 km
9 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
93 km
5 km
Aug 22, 2000
2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York
M2.6
131 km
7 km
Jun 7, 2002
3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts
M2.5
102 km
5 km
Jan 23, 1990
3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts
M2.5
140 km
5 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
232 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
235 km
1996
Edouard
Category 1
92 mph
282 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
41 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
88 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
151 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 729 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 10, 1989
EF4
70 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 3, 1979
EF4
80 km
11.3 mi
3
Jul 29, 1971
EF3
86 km
0.1 mi
0
May 24, 1962
EF3
91 km
11.6 mi
1
May 10, 1954
EF3
74 km
0.3 mi
0
Jun 9, 1953
EF3
97 km
28.0 mi
0
Aug 21, 1951
EF3
46 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 18, 2023
EF2
67 km
9.1 mi
0
Aug 8, 1999
EF2
52 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
82 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
93 km
5.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 1986
EF2
71 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 5, 1984
EF2
83 km
3.0 mi
0
Jul 24, 1975
EF2
100 km
0.3 mi
0
Sep 18, 1973
EF2
76 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 6, 1973
EF2
65 km
3.3 mi
0
Aug 31, 1973
EF2
71 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 12, 1973
EF2
94 km
1.5 mi
0
Aug 19, 1965
EF2
79 km
6.6 mi
0
Oct 12, 1962
EF2
90 km
4.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1964
LONG ISLAND, NY
Meteorological
0.3 m
-
105 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: CRESCENT BOW FIRE (1,068 acres, 2012).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2012
CRESCENT BOW FIRE
1,068
80 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
31°F (-1°C)
4.2 in
February
30°F (-1°C)
3.6 in
Coldest
March
38°F (3°C)
4.4 in
April
47°F (8°C)
4.3 in
May
56°F (14°C)
3.8 in
June
65°F (19°C)
3.6 in
July
72°F (22°C)
3.3 in
Warmest, Driest
August
71°F (22°C)
4.1 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.9 in
October
54°F (12°C)
3.9 in
November
45°F (7°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
December
35°F (2°C)
4.3 in
Groton has a seasonal temperature swing of 42°F / from 30°F in February to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.6") and July the driest (3.3").