Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Manchester 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 246 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
246 ft (75 m)
Area
6.5 sq mi (16.8 km²)
Population Density
3,957/sq mi
Coordinates
41.7796°N, 72.5202°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Capitol Planning Region County
Nearest Airport
Bradley International (BDL) 14 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall42.8"
13% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)4.06"
Driest Month (Feb)3.27"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
97.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
28.1 / 100
Community Resilience
64.2 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Very High
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively High
Landslide
Relatively Moderate
Coastal Flood
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 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
66 km
10 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
69 km
10 km
Jun 16, 2000
5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts
M3.3
43 km
10 km
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
51 km
5 km
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
107 km
12 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
118 km
10 km
Sep 28, 2002
2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire
M2.8
138 km
5 km
Mar 10, 1992
2 km SW of Napeague, New York
M2.8
95 km
10 km
Oct 13, 1999
2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts
M2.7
124 km
2 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
118 km
9 km
Aug 14, 2014
6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut
M2.7
48 km
4 km
Jan 13, 2015
2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut
M2.6
53 km
9 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
122 km
5 km
Aug 22, 2000
2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York
M2.6
101 km
7 km
Jun 7, 2002
3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts
M2.5
90 km
5 km
Jan 15, 1992
5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York
M2.5
149 km
7 km
Jan 23, 1990
3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts
M2.5
115 km
5 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
294 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
295 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
104 mph
100 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
27 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
253 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 107 fatalities, 2,214 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 29, 1995
EF4
89 km
11.5 mi
3
Jul 10, 1989
EF4
55 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 3, 1979
EF4
17 km
11.3 mi
3
Jun 9, 1953
EF4
82 km
34.9 mi
94
Jun 1, 2011
EF3
40 km
37.6 mi
3
Jun 22, 1981
EF3
90 km
7.1 mi
0
Sep 13, 1971
EF3
62 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 29, 1971
EF3
51 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 3, 1970
EF3
68 km
35.4 mi
1
May 24, 1962
EF3
56 km
11.6 mi
1
May 10, 1954
EF3
16 km
0.3 mi
0
Jun 9, 1953
EF3
76 km
28.0 mi
0
Aug 21, 1951
EF3
22 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 18, 2023
EF2
79 km
9.1 mi
0
Jul 11, 2006
EF2
86 km
2.9 mi
0
Jun 23, 2001
EF2
50 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 8, 1999
EF2
87 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
72 km
4.5 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
70 km
3.7 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
67 km
10.0 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
—
119 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
29°F (-2°C)
3.6 in
February
28°F (-2°C)
3.3 in
Coldest, Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
3.8 in
April
48°F (9°C)
4.0 in
May
59°F (15°C)
4.1 in
Wettest
June
67°F (20°C)
3.9 in
July
75°F (24°C)
3.7 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.7 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.9 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.7 in
November
43°F (6°C)
4.1 in
December
32°F (-0°C)
3.9 in
Manchester has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in February to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (3.3").