Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Meriden experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°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 44.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 151 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average
28°F (-2°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
151 ft (46 m)
Area
24.2 sq mi (62.6 km²)
Population Density
2,546/sq mi
Coordinates
41.5368°N, 72.7945°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
South Central Connecticut Planning Region County
Nearest Airport
Bradley International (BDL) 28 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall44.9"
18% above US avg
Wettest Month (May)4.25"
Driest Month (Feb)3.39"
Air Quality
AQI Median
39.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively High
Risk Score
95.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
45.2 / 100
Community Resilience
79.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Moderate
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Moderate
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively High
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Very High
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively High
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
100 km
10 km
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
78 km
5 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
103 km
10 km
Jun 16, 2000
5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts
M3.3
63 km
10 km
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
130 km
12 km
Apr 9, 2019
63 km SSE of Sagaponack, New York
M3.0
144 km
7 km
Aug 3, 2025
0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey
M3.0
130 km
10 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
84 km
10 km
Mar 10, 1992
2 km SW of Napeague, New York
M2.8
85 km
10 km
Aug 5, 2025
1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
M2.8
119 km
12 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
84 km
9 km
Aug 14, 2014
6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut
M2.7
32 km
4 km
Aug 22, 2000
2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York
M2.6
71 km
7 km
Oct 27, 2001
1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York
M2.6
129 km
5 km
Jan 13, 2015
2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut
M2.6
79 km
9 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
145 km
5 km
Jun 7, 2002
3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts
M2.5
124 km
5 km
Jan 15, 1992
5 km NNE of Tuxedo Park, New York
M2.5
119 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
282 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
287 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
107 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
40 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 938 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 29, 1995
EF4
91 km
11.5 mi
3
Jul 10, 1989
EF4
20 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 3, 1979
EF4
40 km
11.3 mi
3
Jun 1, 2011
EF3
63 km
37.6 mi
3
Sep 13, 1971
EF3
89 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 29, 1971
EF3
21 km
0.1 mi
0
May 24, 1962
EF3
27 km
11.6 mi
1
May 10, 1954
EF3
50 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 21, 1951
EF3
25 km
0.1 mi
0
May 15, 2018
EF2
74 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 23, 2001
EF2
40 km
0.5 mi
0
Aug 8, 1999
EF2
64 km
4.0 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
79 km
4.5 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
78 km
3.7 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
28 km
5.0 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
80 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
75 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
55 km
10.0 mi
0
Jul 5, 1984
EF2
20 km
3.0 mi
0
Jun 30, 1976
EF2
59 km
1.0 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
—
86 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
72 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
28°F (-2°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
February
29°F (-2°C)
3.4 in
Driest
March
38°F (3°C)
3.9 in
April
48°F (9°C)
4.2 in
May
59°F (15°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
June
68°F (20°C)
3.9 in
July
73°F (23°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
71°F (22°C)
3.8 in
September
64°F (18°C)
3.9 in
October
52°F (11°C)
3.8 in
November
43°F (6°C)
4.3 in
December
32°F (0°C)
4.1 in
Meriden has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 28°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (3.4").