Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kittery experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 50.7 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 65.0 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 51 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
47.6°F
12% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-4°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
259 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
51 ft (16 m)
Area
3.5 sq mi (9.1 km²)
Population Density
1,887/sq mi
Coordinates
43.0900°N, 70.7383°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
York County County
Nearest Airport
Portsmouth International At Pease (PSM) 4 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall50.7"
33% above US avg
Snowfall65.0"
Wettest Month (Nov)4.53"
Driest Month (Feb)3.15"
Air Quality
AQI Median
34.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
81.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability
16.3 / 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 Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Very High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
Avalanche
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
43 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.7.
Oct 16, 2012
5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine
M4.7
57 km
16 km
Aug 21, 1996
12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire
M3.8
131 km
10 km
Jan 27, 2025
9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine
M3.8
14 km
11 km
Jan 3, 2000
4 km W of Leeds, Maine
M3.5
143 km
10 km
Oct 6, 1992
1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire
M3.4
73 km
5 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
146 km
10 km
Sep 26, 2010
2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire
M3.2
74 km
5 km
Jan 10, 1999
2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts
M3.1
34 km
2 km
Sep 5, 1994
13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine
M3.1
149 km
5 km
Nov 20, 1994
4 km WNW of Norway, Maine
M3.0
128 km
5 km
Jan 27, 2000
3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire
M3.0
37 km
1 km
Jan 10, 1999
1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts
M3.0
35 km
2 km
Jul 22, 2003
72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts
M3.0
98 km
10 km
Jan 8, 1998
52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts
M2.9
63 km
25 km
Jun 7, 2010
29 km SE of York Beach, Maine
M2.9
36 km
10 km
Feb 4, 2022
0 km SSW of Gorham, New Hampshire
M2.9
148 km
8 km
Apr 25, 2023
4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
M2.9
97 km
8 km
Sep 28, 2002
2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire
M2.8
84 km
5 km
Mar 21, 2016
4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire
M2.8
86 km
7 km
Jul 28, 2024
6 km W of Gardiner, Maine
M2.8
146 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
58 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
215 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
108 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 50 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Sep 29, 1974
EF3
68 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1953
EF3
23 km
1.5 mi
0
Jul 28, 2014
EF2
80 km
1.9 mi
0
Jul 24, 2008
EF2
47 km
50.5 mi
1
May 21, 2006
EF2
21 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 6, 1999
EF2
53 km
7.5 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
99 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
92 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 22, 1981
EF2
52 km
8.7 mi
0
May 3, 1976
EF2
10 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 21, 1972
EF2
72 km
7.6 mi
0
Jul 3, 1972
EF2
67 km
1.0 mi
0
Jul 17, 1968
EF2
91 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 10, 1966
EF2
38 km
0.2 mi
0
Aug 28, 1965
EF2
65 km
2.0 mi
0
Jul 18, 1963
EF2
68 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1963
EF2
63 km
10.0 mi
0
May 14, 1963
EF2
32 km
8.7 mi
0
Jul 2, 1961
EF2
52 km
5.1 mi
0
Jul 2, 1961
EF2
78 km
2.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
2008
MAINE
Avalanche
3.6 m
—
115 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
THE RANGE
760
100 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-4°C)
3.5 in
Coldest
February
27°F (-3°C)
3.2 in
Driest
March
35°F (2°C)
3.6 in
April
45°F (7°C)
4.1 in
May
56°F (13°C)
3.5 in
June
65°F (18°C)
3.4 in
July
70°F (21°C)
3.2 in
Warmest
August
69°F (20°C)
3.3 in
September
61°F (16°C)
3.4 in
October
50°F (10°C)
4.1 in
November
41°F (5°C)
4.5 in
Wettest
December
30°F (-1°C)
3.8 in
Kittery has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.2").