Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Newtown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 271 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 53.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 550 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average
51.4°F
5% below US avg
January Average
28°F (-2°C)
July Average
75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days
271 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
550 ft (168 m)
Area
2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density
856/sq mi
Coordinates
41.4119°N, 73.3120°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Western Connecticut Planning Region County
Nearest Airport
Hudson Valley Regional (POU) 33 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.0"
40% above US avg
Snowfall49.3"
Wettest Month (May)4.57"
Driest Month (Feb)3.35"
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
32 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M4.8.
Apr 5, 2024
2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake
M4.8
145 km
3 km
Apr 5, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M3.7
145 km
4 km
Oct 2, 1994
6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.7
135 km
10 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
139 km
10 km
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
123 km
5 km
Jun 16, 2000
5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts
M3.3
87 km
10 km
Dec 13, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.2
145 km
10 km
Jan 9, 1992
4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey
M3.1
145 km
8 km
Jul 24, 2007
12 km SSW of Altamont, New York
M3.1
148 km
15 km
May 18, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M3.1
145 km
9 km
Oct 28, 1991
3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut
M3.0
44 km
10 km
Aug 3, 2025
0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey
M3.0
88 km
10 km
Feb 3, 2009
1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey
M3.0
118 km
0 km
Apr 27, 2024
7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey
M2.9
145 km
5 km
Oct 21, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M2.9
145 km
7 km
May 24, 2024
6 km E of Califon, New Jersey
M2.9
144 km
7 km
Mar 10, 1992
2 km SW of Napeague, New York
M2.8
113 km
10 km
Aug 5, 2025
1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey
M2.8
75 km
12 km
Apr 12, 1991
2 km ENE of North Castle, New York
M2.7
41 km
9 km
Feb 18, 2009
15 km N of Medusa, New York
M2.7
144 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
297 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
145 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
69 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 990 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
May 29, 1995
EF4
88 km
11.5 mi
3
Jul 10, 1989
EF4
35 km
3.0 mi
0
Oct 3, 1979
EF4
75 km
11.3 mi
3
Jun 1, 2011
EF3
90 km
37.6 mi
3
Jul 29, 1971
EF3
27 km
0.1 mi
0
May 24, 1962
EF3
22 km
11.6 mi
1
May 10, 1954
EF3
90 km
0.3 mi
0
Aug 21, 1951
EF3
70 km
0.1 mi
0
May 15, 2018
EF2
33 km
1.2 mi
0
Jul 12, 2006
EF2
60 km
10.1 mi
0
Jun 23, 2001
EF2
46 km
0.5 mi
0
May 18, 2000
EF2
71 km
0.2 mi
0
Aug 8, 1999
EF2
81 km
4.0 mi
0
Sep 7, 1998
EF2
90 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
86 km
3.7 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
85 km
4.5 mi
0
May 29, 1995
EF2
96 km
15.0 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
31 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
80 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF2
26 km
5.0 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
—
70 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
72 km
2024
JENNINGS CREEK
5,069
86 km
2015
ROOSA GAP
2,747
96 km
2008
UNNAMED
2,224
88 km
2016
SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE
1,929
91 km
2012
CRESCENT BOW FIRE
1,068
71 km
1988
UNNAMED
833
71 km
2016
SHERWOOD
642
70 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
28°F (-2°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
February
29°F (-2°C)
3.4 in
Driest
March
37°F (3°C)
4.2 in
April
48°F (9°C)
4.4 in
May
58°F (15°C)
4.6 in
Wettest
June
67°F (19°C)
4.0 in
July
75°F (24°C)
4.0 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.9 in
September
63°F (17°C)
4.1 in
October
52°F (11°C)
4.0 in
November
42°F (6°C)
4.5 in
December
32°F (-0°C)
4.1 in
Newtown has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 28°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.4").