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Weather & Climate in New Canaan, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Canaan experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°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 48.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 297 feet.
Temperature
27°F Jan (-3°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 49.6°F |
| 8% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 275 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 297 ft (91 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 4,537/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.1417°N, 73.4901°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Western Connecticut Planning Region County |
| Nearest Airport | Laguardia (LGA) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 21.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 62.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
23 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 118 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 117 km | 4 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 120 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 148 km | 3 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 112 km | 8 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 11 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 57 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 92 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 117 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 119 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 48 km | 12 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 14 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 86 km | 4 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey | M2.6 | 101 km | 8 km |
| Oct 27, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York | M2.6 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut | M2.6 | 150 km | 9 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 115 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 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 | 287 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | — | 288 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 144 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 62 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
223 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 273 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 56 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 89 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 55 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 43 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 99 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2007 | EF2 | 77 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 33 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1999 | EF2 | 83 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1998 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 35 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 60 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 78 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1986 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1984 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis 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 | — | 50 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 128 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 53 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 67 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 95 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 93 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 93 km |
| 2012 | CRESCENT BOW FIRE | 1,068 | 62 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 55 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 51 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 27°F (-3°C) | 3.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 4.0 in |
New Canaan has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 27°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.2 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.2").