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Weather & Climate in Norfolk, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Norfolk experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 69°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 52.9 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 74.9 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 1,301 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.9°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,301 ft (397 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 529/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.9917°N, 73.1940°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Northwest Hills Planning Region County |
| Nearest Airport | Bradley International (BDL) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
30 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 85 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 33 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 90 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 149 km | 13 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 102 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 99 km | 9 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 107 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 99 km | 7 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 145 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 129 km | 12 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 107 km | 22 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 104 km | 16 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 101 km | 9 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 107 km | 18 km |
| Feb 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.7 | 99 km | 9 km |
| Feb 27, 2008 | 2 km SW of Central Bridge, New York | M2.7 | 124 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
2 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 159 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 34 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
255 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 112 fatalities, 2,223 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 30 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 72 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 45 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 51 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 100 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 39 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 60 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 92 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 50 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 75 km | 8.0 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 | — | 133 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (2,224 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 94 km |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 81 km |
| 2006 | CHERRYTOWN FIRE | 943 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 3.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 4.1 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 4.4 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 in |
Norfolk has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 22°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (3.4").