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Weather & Climate in Litchfield, CT

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

Litchfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 271 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 54.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 59.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. 84% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,074 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days271 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,074 ft (327 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density930/sq mi
Coordinates41.7457°N, 73.1892°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyNorthwest Hills Planning Region County
Nearest AirportBradley International (BDL)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.3"
43% above US avg
Snowfall 59.1"
Wettest Month (May) 4.45"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood
Good Days %84.3%
Unhealthy Days8

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score79.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability12.8 / 100
Community Resilience76.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Oct 2, 1994 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.7 101 km 10 km
Jun 16, 2000 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts M3.3 50 km 10 km
Oct 2, 1994 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts M3.3 105 km 10 km
Jan 12, 2015 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut M3.3 107 km 5 km
Dec 13, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M3.2 119 km 10 km
Jul 24, 2007 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York M3.1 122 km 15 km
May 18, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M3.1 119 km 9 km
Oct 28, 1991 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut M3.0 82 km 10 km
Aug 3, 2025 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey M3.0 123 km 10 km
Feb 3, 2009 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey M3.0 148 km 0 km
Oct 21, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M2.9 119 km 7 km
Aug 5, 2025 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey M2.8 108 km 12 km
Mar 10, 1992 2 km SW of Napeague, New York M2.8 125 km 10 km
Aug 27, 2011 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York M2.8 128 km 22 km
Mar 22, 2009 9 km SW of Altamont, New York M2.8 125 km 16 km
Apr 12, 1991 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York M2.7 77 km 9 km
Aug 25, 2011 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York M2.7 128 km 18 km
Feb 18, 2009 15 km N of Medusa, New York M2.7 119 km 9 km
Feb 20, 2009 15 km SSW of Altamont, New York M2.7 119 km 8 km
Feb 27, 2008 2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York M2.7 143 km 6 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 146 km
1985 Gloria Category 1 86 mph 37 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

239 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 25 fatalities, 1,018 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 29, 1995 EF4 54 km 11.5 mi 3
Jul 10, 1989 EF4 47 km 3.0 mi 0
Oct 3, 1979 EF4 46 km 11.3 mi 3
Aug 28, 1973 EF4 77 km 9.8 mi 4
Jun 1, 2011 EF3 54 km 37.6 mi 3
Jun 16, 1974 EF3 77 km 49.1 mi 0
Sep 13, 1971 EF3 78 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 29, 1971 EF3 25 km 0.1 mi 0
May 24, 1962 EF3 23 km 11.6 mi 1
May 10, 1954 EF3 63 km 0.3 mi 0
Aug 21, 1951 EF3 60 km 0.1 mi 0
May 15, 2018 EF2 49 km 1.2 mi 0
Jul 12, 2006 EF2 94 km 10.1 mi 0
Jul 21, 2003 EF2 84 km 1.3 mi 0
Jul 21, 2003 EF2 82 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 23, 2001 EF2 8 km 0.5 mi 0
May 18, 2000 EF2 65 km 0.2 mi 0
Aug 8, 1999 EF2 100 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 3, 1997 EF2 48 km 3.7 mi 0
Jul 3, 1997 EF2 75 km 1.5 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

6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1985 UNNAMED 23,000 99 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,224 90 km
2016 SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE 1,929 96 km
2006 CHERRYTOWN FIRE 943 98 km
1988 UNNAMED 833 96 km
2016 SHERWOOD 642 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-4°C) 3.6 in Coldest
February 25°F (-4°C) 3.4 in Driest
March 34°F (1°C) 4.0 in
April 45°F (7°C) 4.2 in
May 56°F (13°C) 4.5 in Wettest
June 64°F (18°C) 4.1 in
July 70°F (21°C) 4.2 in Warmest
August 68°F (20°C) 4.3 in
September 60°F (16°C) 4.1 in
October 49°F (10°C) 4.0 in
November 39°F (4°C) 4.4 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 4.1 in

Litchfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.4").

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