Weather & Climate in Pawlet, VT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pawlet has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 75.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 850 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
66°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 66°F (19°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 850 ft (259 m) |
| Area | 2.5 sq mi (6.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 120/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.3390°N, 73.1684°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Washington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rutland/Southern Vermont Regional (RUT) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 56.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 37.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 71.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
41 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.3.
| Apr 20, 2002 | 8 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M5.3 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 1995 | 8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire | M3.8 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 132 km | 10 km |
| Apr 20, 2002 | 5 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.7 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 134 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 38 km | 13 km |
| May 24, 2002 | 6 km N of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.1 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 113 km | 15 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Jun 25, 2002 | 6 km NNW of Au Sable Forks, New York | M3.0 | 136 km | 9 km |
| Mar 2, 1995 | 3 km ENE of Tupper Lake, New York | M3.0 | 142 km | 4 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 90 km | 16 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 114 km | 7 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 145 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 232 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 163 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
115 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 105 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 68 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 40 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 100 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 83 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 93 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1976 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 1975 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF2 | 58 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1969 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1969 | EF2 | 16 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1966 | EF2 | 57 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 1, 1966 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 13, 1963 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1962 | EF2 | 46 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1962 | EF2 | 55 km | 7.7 mi | 0 |
| Oct 24, 1955 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 22, 1955 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 100 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 2024 | EF1 | 73 km | 8.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.2 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 4.0 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 61°F (16°C) | 5.0 in | |
| July | 66°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 64°F (18°C) | 4.6 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 4.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 5.2 in | Wettest |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 3.8 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 4.5 in |
Pawlet has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 17°F in January to 66°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 51.0 inches, with October being the wettest month (5.2") and February the driest (3.4").