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Weather & Climate in Lawrence, MA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Lawrence experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 35°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 58.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.3 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 43 feet.

Temperature

35°F Jan (1°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average35°F (1°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days259 days/yr

Geography

Elevation43 ft (13 m)
Area6.9 sq mi (17.9 km²)
Population Density12,741/sq mi
Coordinates42.7003°N, 71.1614°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyMiddlesex County County
Nearest AirportBeverly Regional (BVY)
15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 58.6"
54% above US avg
Snowfall 47.3"
Wettest Month (Nov) 4.17"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.23"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively High
Risk Score97.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability15.8 / 100
Community Resilience89.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively High
Earthquake Relatively Moderate
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively High
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively High
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.

Oct 16, 2012 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine M4.7 108 km 16 km
Jan 27, 2025 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine M3.8 63 km 11 km
Oct 2, 1994 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.7 100 km 10 km
Oct 6, 1992 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.4 77 km 5 km
Jan 12, 2015 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut M3.3 122 km 5 km
Oct 2, 1994 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.3 95 km 10 km
Sep 26, 2010 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire M3.2 78 km 5 km
Mar 22, 1996 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island M3.1 113 km 12 km
Jan 10, 1999 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.1 22 km 2 km
Jan 27, 2000 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire M3.0 33 km 1 km
Jan 10, 1999 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts M3.0 21 km 2 km
Jul 22, 2003 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts M3.0 117 km 10 km
Jan 8, 1998 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts M2.9 93 km 25 km
Apr 25, 2023 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire M2.9 123 km 8 km
Jun 7, 2010 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.9 78 km 10 km
Sep 28, 2002 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire M2.8 50 km 5 km
Mar 23, 1992 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire M2.8 97 km 5 km
Mar 21, 2016 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire M2.8 80 km 7 km
Mar 9, 2008 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine M2.8 74 km 0 km
Mar 9, 2020 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine M2.7 126 km 12 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 55 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 86 mph 162 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

172 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,320 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 9, 1953 EF4 87 km 34.9 mi 94
Jun 22, 1981 EF3 75 km 7.1 mi 0
Sep 29, 1974 EF3 13 km 0.1 mi 0
Oct 3, 1970 EF3 92 km 35.4 mi 1
May 20, 1963 EF3 80 km 14.0 mi 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 34 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 9, 1953 EF3 77 km 28.0 mi 0
Jul 28, 2014 EF2 36 km 1.9 mi 0
Jul 24, 2008 EF2 52 km 50.5 mi 1
May 21, 2006 EF2 35 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 6, 1999 EF2 68 km 7.5 mi 0
May 31, 1998 EF2 74 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 3, 1997 EF2 63 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 22, 1981 EF2 81 km 8.7 mi 0
Aug 10, 1979 EF2 90 km 9.7 mi 2
May 3, 1976 EF2 54 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 9, 1972 EF2 81 km 9.7 mi 0
Jul 21, 1972 EF2 21 km 7.6 mi 0
Jul 3, 1972 EF2 83 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1969 EF2 88 km 1.5 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

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 46 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 35°F (1°C) 3.9 in
February 27°F (-3°C) 3.2 in Coldest, Driest
March 36°F (2°C) 3.7 in
April 46°F (8°C) 3.9 in
May 57°F (14°C) 3.5 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.4 in
July 73°F (23°C) 3.2 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 3.3 in
September 62°F (17°C) 3.6 in
October 51°F (10°C) 3.9 in
November 41°F (5°C) 4.2 in Wettest
December 31°F (-1°C) 3.8 in

Lawrence has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (3.2").

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