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Weather & Climate in New Britain, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Britain experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 75°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 42.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 217 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.0°F |
| 4% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 217 ft (66 m) |
| Area | 13.4 sq mi (34.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 5,470/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.6766°N, 72.7862°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Capitol Planning Region County |
| Nearest Airport | Bradley International (BDL) 19 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 97.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 28.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
25 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 | 86 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 47 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 128 km | 12 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 148 km | 9 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 140 km | 10 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 94 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 147 km | 7 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 128 km | 12 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 148 km | 2 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 93 km | 9 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 147 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 44 km | 4 km |
| Feb 20, 2009 | 15 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 147 km | 8 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York | M2.6 | 76 km | 7 km |
| Oct 27, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York | M2.6 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut | M2.6 | 76 km | 9 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 |
| 2021 | Henri | Category 1 | 75 mph | 295 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 112 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 25 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
239 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 fatalities, 975 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 79 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 34 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 25 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 98 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 47 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 89 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 31 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 38 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 31 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1999 | EF2 | 78 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 66 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 64 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 29 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.5 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 | — | 101 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 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.5 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 3.8 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.7 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | |
| October | 52°F (11°C) | 3.7 in | |
| November | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| December | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.0 in |
New Britain has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in February to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (3.3").