Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Bedford experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°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 41.8 inches. The area receives 27.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40. The city sits at an elevation of 1,139 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average
51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average
28°F (-2°C)
July Average
73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,139 ft (347 m)
Area
2.6 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density
367/sq mi
Coordinates
41.0894°N, 80.4935°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Mahoning County County
Nearest Airport
Youngstown/Warren Regional (YNG) 15 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall41.8"
10% above US avg
Snowfall27.5"
Wettest Month (Jun)4.29"
Driest Month (Feb)2.05"
Air Quality
AQI Median
40.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
83.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability
66.8 / 100
Community Resilience
80.8 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively High
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively High
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
38 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.5.
Sep 25, 1998
2 km SW of Adamsville, Pennsylvania
M4.5
46 km
5 km
Jun 10, 2019
1 km NW of Timberlake, Ohio
M4.0
104 km
2 km
Jan 26, 2001
8 km NNW of Edgewood, Ohio
M3.9
98 km
5 km
Mar 12, 2007
Ohio
M3.7
77 km
5 km
Aug 28, 2023
7 km SE of Madison, Ohio
M3.6
82 km
5 km
Jun 30, 2003
6 km NW of Perry, Ohio
M3.6
99 km
5 km
Oct 16, 1993
8 km SSE of Madison, Ohio
M3.6
80 km
5 km
Jun 20, 2006
9 km WNW of North Perry, Ohio
M3.5
104 km
5 km
Mar 15, 1992
15 km NW of North Perry, Ohio
M3.5
111 km
5 km
Jan 26, 1991
1 km NNE of Mayfield Heights, Ohio
M3.4
94 km
5 km
Jun 3, 2001
3 km N of Edgewood, Ohio
M3.4
94 km
5 km
Jun 3, 2017
1 km WNW of Batesville, Ohio
M3.4
147 km
2 km
Jun 30, 2004
2 km WNW of Madison, Ohio
M3.3
91 km
5 km
Jul 1, 2013
5 km NNW of Fairport Harbor, Ohio
M3.2
103 km
5 km
Jan 9, 2008
6 km WNW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio
M3.1
105 km
5 km
Mar 11, 2006
8 km NNW of Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio
M3.1
107 km
5 km
Apr 25, 2010
2 km WNW of Madison, Ohio
M3.0
91 km
5 km
Jun 5, 2011
5 km W of Lodi, Ohio
M3.0
133 km
5 km
Mar 30, 2024
2 km SSW of Maple Ridge, Ohio
M3.0
52 km
6 km
Feb 23, 1995
3 km W of Ashtabula, Ohio
M2.9
91 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
336 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 75 fatalities, 1,162 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 31, 1985
EF5
56 km
47.0 mi
18
May 31, 1985
EF4
89 km
29.0 mi
7
May 31, 1985
EF4
83 km
14.0 mi
12
May 31, 1985
EF4
44 km
56.2 mi
16
Jun 3, 1980
EF4
81 km
11.8 mi
0
Jul 12, 1992
EF3
83 km
8.0 mi
0
May 31, 1985
EF3
74 km
23.0 mi
2
May 31, 1985
EF3
57 km
15.0 mi
0
May 31, 1985
EF3
91 km
8.0 mi
0
May 31, 1985
EF3
30 km
39.0 mi
9
Oct 12, 1978
EF3
48 km
7.3 mi
0
Jun 3, 1973
EF3
79 km
12.9 mi
0
May 2, 1972
EF3
48 km
7.9 mi
0
Jun 2, 1971
EF3
92 km
29.3 mi
0
Sep 29, 1966
EF3
97 km
4.5 mi
0
Aug 3, 1963
EF3
100 km
0.1 mi
2
Aug 5, 1956
EF3
19 km
0.1 mi
2
Mar 1, 1955
EF3
25 km
2.5 mi
1
May 11, 2024
EF2
98 km
5.8 mi
0
May 7, 2024
EF2
62 km
15.3 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km.
Highest wave on record: 2.7 m (9 ft).
Year
Location
Cause
Max Wave
Deaths
Distance
1823
LAKE ERIE
Unknown
2.7 m
—
140 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: UNNAMED (628 acres, 1990).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
1990
UNNAMED
628
98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
28°F (-2°C)
2.3 in
Coldest
February
28°F (-2°C)
2.1 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
3.0 in
April
48°F (9°C)
3.3 in
May
58°F (14°C)
3.7 in
June
67°F (19°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
July
73°F (23°C)
4.2 in
Warmest
August
69°F (21°C)
3.6 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.7 in
October
51°F (11°C)
2.8 in
November
41°F (5°C)
3.2 in
December
31°F (-1°C)
2.9 in
New Bedford has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 28°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 39.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.1").