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Weather & Climate in Orono, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Orono has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 258 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 192 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 258 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 192 ft (59 m) |
| Area | 7.7 sq mi (19.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,518/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.8783°N, 68.6881°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hancock County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bangor International (BGR) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 34.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 55.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
49 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 26, 1999 | 0 km NW of China, Maine | M3.8 | 79 km | 3 km |
| Jan 17, 2000 | 4 km NNE of Dixfield, Maine | M3.6 | 143 km | 16 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 7 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.6 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Feb 2, 2016 | 8 km E of Lubec, Maine | M3.6 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.6 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2000 | 4 km W of Leeds, Maine | M3.5 | 133 km | 10 km |
| Jan 14, 2023 | 7 km ESE of Dedham, Maine | M3.3 | 25 km | 10 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.3 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 2001 | 4 km S of Howland, Maine | M3.3 | 36 km | 9 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.3 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 2016 | 7 km NE of Vanceboro, Maine | M3.3 | 132 km | 1 km |
| Sep 7, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine | M3.2 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1994 | 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Oct 15, 2003 | 11 km E of Saint Andrews, Canada | M3.1 | 142 km | 18 km |
| Aug 17, 2022 | 3 km SE of Centerville, Maine | M3.0 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2010 | 7 km WSW of Dedham, Maine | M3.0 | 24 km | 4 km |
| Dec 25, 1999 | 4 km NE of Saint Albans, Maine | M3.0 | 54 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 2021 | 4 km ESE of Centerville, Maine | M2.9 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Feb 12, 1995 | 1 km NNE of Turner, Maine | M2.8 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 2024 | 6 km W of Gardiner, Maine | M2.8 | 117 km | 8 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 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 75 mph | 231 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 1 | — | 292 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
32 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 9, 2000 | EF2 | 78 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1971 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1971 | EF2 | 60 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Nov 7, 1971 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1962 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 15, 1961 | EF2 | 96 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 1961 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1959 | EF2 | 20 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2019 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 2017 | EF1 | 90 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2014 | EF1 | 57 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1997 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1991 | EF1 | 33 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1977 | EF1 | 64 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1975 | EF1 | 97 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1971 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF1 | 57 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1968 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1965 | EF1 | 55 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1963 | EF1 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2008 | MAINE | Avalanche | 3.6 m | — | 144 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (901 acres, 1984).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 901 | 92 km |
| 2006 | CENTERVILLE FIRE | 705 | 81 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 627 | 87 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 3.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 2.7 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.6 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 3.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.8 in |
Orono has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 19°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 41.3 inches, with November being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (2.7").