Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nantucket experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 69°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 40.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 25 feet.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
50.7°F
6% below US avg
January Average
33°F (1°C)
July Average
69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
25 ft (8 m)
Area
6.7 sq mi (17.4 km²)
Population Density
1,862/sq mi
Coordinates
41.2714°N, 70.0959°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Nantucket County County
Nearest Airport
New Bedford Regional (EWB) 53 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall40.9"
8% above US avg
Wettest Month (Dec)4.53"
Driest Month (Jul)2.56"
Air Quality
AQI Median
37.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
38.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
99.0 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Hurricane
Relatively Moderate
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Very Low
Heat Wave
No Rating
Winter Weather
Very Low
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
Very Low
Cold Wave
Very Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.1.
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
106 km
12 km
Mar 12, 2002
52 km E of Chatham, Massachusetts
M3.0
75 km
1 km
Oct 11, 1990
5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts
M2.7
84 km
13 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
92 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
10 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
222 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
98 mph
247 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
124 km
2009
Bill
Category 1
86 mph
269 km
2008
Kyle
Category 1
86 mph
242 km
2002
Gustav
Category 2
98 mph
272 km
1996
Edouard
Category 1
92 mph
156 km
1993
Emily
Category 2
104 mph
287 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
110 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
236 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
17 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1970
EF2
76 km
1.0 mi
0
Dec 18, 1951
EF2
38 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 8, 2023
EF1
77 km
0.9 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
43 km
5.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
44 km
0.3 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
46 km
2.8 mi
0
Aug 22, 1977
EF1
47 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 9, 1968
EF1
45 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 9, 1968
EF1
82 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 8, 2023
EF0
51 km
1.2 mi
0
Sep 1, 2021
EF0
53 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 29, 2018
EF0
56 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 24, 2012
EF0
84 km
0.0 mi
0
Aug 20, 1997
EF0
92 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 6, 1997
EF0
95 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 14, 1972
EF0
79 km
4.1 mi
0
Jun 9, 1965
EF0
76 km
0.1 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NOMANS AERIAL RX (546 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
NOMANS AERIAL RX
546
60 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
33°F (1°C)
3.8 in
February
33°F (0°C)
3.4 in
Coldest
March
38°F (4°C)
3.4 in
April
46°F (8°C)
3.4 in
May
54°F (12°C)
3.5 in
June
63°F (17°C)
2.7 in
July
69°F (21°C)
2.6 in
Driest
August
69°F (21°C)
3.1 in
Warmest
September
63°F (17°C)
3.5 in
October
54°F (12°C)
3.4 in
November
46°F (8°C)
3.9 in
December
37°F (3°C)
4.5 in
Wettest
Nantucket has a seasonal temperature swing of 37°F / from 33°F in February to 69°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 41.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.5") and July the driest (2.6").
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