Weather & Climate in Peterborough, NH
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Peterborough experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.4 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 75.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 90% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 795 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-5°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 795 ft (242 m) |
| Area | 4.8 sq mi (12.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 491/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.8772°N, 71.9611°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hillsborough County County |
| Nearest Airport | Manchester Boston Regional (MHT) 27 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 89.6% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 89.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
37 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 133 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 115 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 145 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 80 km | 2 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 144 km | 13 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 65 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 79 km | 2 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 108 km | 8 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 138 km | 8 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 46 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 131 km | 0 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 19 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 73 km | 5 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 | 123 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 129 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
214 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 99 fatalities, 1,319 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 48 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 42 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 63 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 12 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 80 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 61 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 51 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 70 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 17 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 12 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF2 | 89 km | 8.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | EF2 | 64 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 99 km |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-5°C) | 3.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.5 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | Wettest |
| November | 38°F (3°C) | 3.5 in | |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.1 in |
Peterborough has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 22°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 46.4 inches, with October being the wettest month (4.8") and February the driest (3.0").