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Weather & Climate in Needham, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Needham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 47.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 164 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 48.9°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 164 ft (50 m) |
| Area | 12.7 sq mi (32.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,606/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.2816°N, 71.2424°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Norfolk County County |
| Nearest Airport | General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 103 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 85 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 81 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 66 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 66 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 80 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 65 km | 2 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 129 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 117 km | 25 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 109 km | 0 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 117 km | 7 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 34 km | 2 km |
| Oct 11, 1990 | 5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 68 km | 13 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 265 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 71 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 135 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
185 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,331 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 79 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 69 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 77 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 98 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 80 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 45 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF2 | 60 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 22 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 97 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 100 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF2 | 59 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | EF2 | 73 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1972 | EF2 | 79 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1972 | EF2 | 47 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1970 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1968 | EF2 | 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: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 42 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 4.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 in | Driest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 4.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.2 in |
Needham has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 26°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.1 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (3.5").