Weather & Climate in Montpelier, VT

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

Montpelier has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 251 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 41.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31. The city sits at an elevation of 532 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	45.0°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	251 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	532 ft (162 m)
Area	10.3 sq mi (26.5 km²)
Population Density	799/sq mi
Coordinates	44.2664°N, 72.5715°W
Timezone	America/New_York
County	Washington County County
Nearest Airport	Patrick Leahy Burlington International (BTV) 35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 41.4"

9% above US avg

Wettest Month (Aug) 4.65"

Driest Month (Feb) 2.32"

Air Quality

AQI Median	31.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	52.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	13.0 / 100
Community Resilience	94.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Hurricane	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	No Rating
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Moderate
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

50 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.

Apr 20, 2002	8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York	M5.3	94 km	5 km
Jun 16, 1995	8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire	M3.8	52 km	5 km
Aug 21, 1996	12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire	M3.8	98 km	10 km
Apr 20, 2000	7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York	M3.8	139 km	5 km
Nov 16, 1993	5 km SSE of Saint-Édouard, Canada	M3.8	125 km	17 km
Jul 5, 1991	7 km WSW of Sainte-Martine, Canada	M3.8	150 km	18 km
Oct 6, 2000	1 km WSW of Ormstown, Canada	M3.8	149 km	18 km
Jan 9, 2006	2 km ESE of Franklin, Canada	M3.7	134 km	13 km
Apr 20, 2002	5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York	M3.7	92 km	5 km
Apr 8, 2003	17 km ESE of Saint Regis Falls, New York	M3.7	146 km	10 km
Oct 6, 1992	1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Jan 13, 2020	5 km SW of Franklin, Canada	M3.4	137 km	6 km
Jun 9, 1998	3 km N of Dannemora, New York	M3.3	106 km	5 km
Aug 20, 1995	4 km S of Chambly, Canada	M3.3	139 km	18 km
Sep 26, 2010	2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire	M3.2	131 km	5 km
May 24, 2002	6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York	M3.1	92 km	10 km
May 6, 2020	9 km SE of Bedford, Canada	M3.1	92 km	14 km
Mar 11, 2020	0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York	M3.1	138 km	13 km
Jun 25, 2002	6 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York	M3.0	94 km	9 km
Mar 2, 1995	3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York	M3.0	148 km	4 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 1.

Year	Name	Category	Max Wind	Closest
1991	Bob	Category 1	—	250 km
1985	Gloria	Category 1	86 mph	264 km

Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).

Tornado History

52 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Aug 25, 1969	EF3	82 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 8, 1983	EF2	55 km	0.2 mi	0
May 11, 1973	EF2	92 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 3, 1970	EF2	78 km	4.5 mi	0
Aug 11, 1966	EF2	48 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 1963	EF2	86 km	5.9 mi	0
May 20, 1962	EF2	62 km	1.8 mi	0
Jun 13, 1961	EF2	85 km	7.9 mi	0
Jun 24, 1960	EF2	48 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 18, 1957	EF2	85 km	3.0 mi	0
Oct 24, 1955	EF2	100 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 16, 2024	EF1	60 km	1.8 mi	0
Jul 18, 2022	EF1	62 km	0.9 mi	0
Mar 26, 2021	EF1	53 km	0.7 mi	0
Aug 21, 2011	EF1	84 km	2.7 mi	0
Jun 5, 2010	EF1	41 km	2.1 mi	0
May 9, 2009	EF1	21 km	0.6 mi	0
Jul 18, 2008	EF1	52 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 13, 1999	EF1	79 km	8.0 mi	0
Sep 3, 1993	EF1	75 km	4.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	2.7 in	Coldest
February	18°F (-8°C)	2.3 in	Driest
March	29°F (-2°C)	2.9 in
April	41°F (5°C)	3.2 in
May	54°F (12°C)	3.7 in
June	62°F (17°C)	3.9 in
July	70°F (21°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	4.7 in	Wettest
September	56°F (14°C)	3.6 in
October	45°F (7°C)	3.5 in
November	34°F (1°C)	3.7 in
December	22°F (-6°C)	3.3 in

Montpelier has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 17°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.5 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (2.3").

View full profile of Montpelier, VT →