Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Pocotopaug experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°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 42.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 472 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
52.0°F
4% below US avg
January Average
29°F (-2°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
472 ft (144 m)
Area
3.5 sq mi (9.0 km²)
Population Density
859/sq mi
Coordinates
41.6020°N, 72.5018°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region County
Nearest Airport
Bradley International (BDL) 25 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall42.8"
13% above US avg
Wettest Month (Nov)4.41"
Driest Month (Feb)3.50"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
83.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
17.9 / 100
Community Resilience
90.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
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 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
18 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
85 km
10 km
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
52 km
5 km
Jun 16, 2000
5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts
M3.3
61 km
10 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
88 km
10 km
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
105 km
12 km
Apr 9, 2019
63 km SSE of Sagaponack, New York
M3.0
141 km
7 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
108 km
10 km
Aug 5, 2025
1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
M2.8
144 km
12 km
Mar 10, 1992
2 km SW of Napeague, New York
M2.8
76 km
10 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
108 km
9 km
Oct 13, 1999
2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts
M2.7
137 km
2 km
Aug 14, 2014
6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut
M2.7
28 km
4 km
Aug 22, 2000
2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York
M2.6
96 km
7 km
Jan 13, 2015
2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut
M2.6
54 km
9 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
120 km
5 km
Jun 7, 2002
3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts
M2.5
100 km
5 km
Jan 23, 1990
3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts
M2.5
129 km
5 km
Jan 15, 1992
5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York
M2.5
144 km
7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 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
276 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
282 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
88 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
41 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
229 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 952 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 10, 1989
EF4
41 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 3, 1979
EF4
34 km
11.3 mi
3
Jun 1, 2011
EF3
59 km
37.6 mi
3
Sep 13, 1971
EF3
82 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 29, 1971
EF3
46 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 3, 1970
EF3
86 km
35.4 mi
1
May 24, 1962
EF3
52 km
11.6 mi
1
May 10, 1954
EF3
36 km
0.3 mi
0
Jun 9, 1953
EF3
88 km
28.0 mi
0
Aug 21, 1951
EF3
3 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 18, 2023
EF2
80 km
9.1 mi
0
May 15, 2018
EF2
99 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 23, 2001
EF2
56 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 8, 1999
EF2
67 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
87 km
4.5 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
85 km
3.7 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
51 km
5.0 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
90 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
73 km
10.0 mi
0
Aug 7, 1986
EF2
89 km
4.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1964
LONG ISLAND, NY
Meteorological
0.3 m
—
102 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
84 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
29°F (-2°C)
3.9 in
February
29°F (-2°C)
3.5 in
Coldest, Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
4.1 in
April
47°F (8°C)
4.3 in
May
58°F (14°C)
4.2 in
June
66°F (19°C)
3.9 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.8 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.9 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.9 in
November
43°F (6°C)
4.4 in
Wettest
December
32°F (0°C)
4.2 in
Lake Pocotopaug has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 29°F in February to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.9 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (3.5").