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 Average
47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-4°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
271 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,074 ft (327 m)
Area
1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density
930/sq mi
Coordinates
41.7457°N, 73.1892°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Northwest Hills Planning Region County
Nearest Airport
Bradley International (BDL) 29 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall54.3"
43% above US avg
Snowfall59.1"
Wettest Month (May)4.45"
Driest Month (Feb)3.39"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Good Days %
84.3%
Unhealthy Days
8
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
79.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
12.8 / 100
Community Resilience
76.7 / 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").