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Weather & Climate in Keene, NH
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Keene has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 46.1 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 59.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 484 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-6°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.4°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 484 ft (148 m) |
| Area | 37.4 sq mi (96.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 618/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.9538°N, 72.3069°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Cheshire County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manchester Boston Regional (MHT) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 60.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 65.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very 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 | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
34 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 142 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 114 km | 13 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 108 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 92 km | 1 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 114 km | 8 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 56 km | 7 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 149 km | 22 km |
| Feb 15, 2018 | 0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 106 km | 7 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 65 km | 4 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 84 km | 2 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 | 153 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 124 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
193 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 98 fatalities, 1,296 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 55 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 55 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 70 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 43 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 18 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 98 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 84 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 88 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 37 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | EF2 | 72 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| Jul 24, 1975 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1975 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1973 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 1972 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1972 | EF2 | 47 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 74 km |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-6°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.5 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 4.0 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.6 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 4.0 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.7 in |
Keene has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 20°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.0") and February the driest (3.0").