Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pittsfield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 46.3 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 56.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 561 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average
24°F (-5°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
246 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
561 ft (171 m)
Area
1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density
1,120/sq mi
Coordinates
43.3001°N, 71.3315°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Strafford County County
Nearest Airport
Manchester Boston Regional (MHT) 26 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall46.3"
22% above US avg
Snowfall56.6"
Wettest Month (Nov)4.41"
Driest Month (Feb)3.03"
Air Quality
AQI Median
37.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
64.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
16.6 / 100
Community Resilience
73.5 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Very Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm
Relatively High
Drought
Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Coastal Flood
Relatively 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: M4.7.
Oct 16, 2012
5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine
M4.7
64 km
16 km
Aug 21, 1996
12 km N of Livermore, New Hampshire
M3.8
98 km
10 km
Jun 16, 1995
8 km N of Lisbon, New Hampshire
M3.8
119 km
5 km
Jan 27, 2025
9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine
M3.8
67 km
11 km
Oct 2, 1994
6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.7
131 km
10 km
Jan 3, 2000
4 km W of Leeds, Maine
M3.5
146 km
10 km
Oct 6, 1992
1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire
M3.4
20 km
5 km
Oct 2, 1994
1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts
M3.3
127 km
10 km
Sep 26, 2010
2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire
M3.2
21 km
5 km
Jan 10, 1999
2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts
M3.1
59 km
2 km
Jan 10, 1999
1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts
M3.0
58 km
2 km
Jan 27, 2000
3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire
M3.0
36 km
1 km
Nov 20, 1994
4 km WNW of Norway, Maine
M3.0
119 km
5 km
Jan 8, 1998
52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts
M2.9
116 km
25 km
Feb 4, 2022
0 km SSW of Gorham, New Hampshire
M2.9
121 km
8 km
Jun 7, 2010
29 km SE of York Beach, Maine
M2.9
89 km
10 km
Apr 25, 2023
4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire
M2.9
55 km
8 km
Feb 12, 1995
1 km NNE of Turner, Maine
M2.8
138 km
5 km
Mar 23, 1992
5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire
M2.8
34 km
5 km
Mar 9, 2008
25 km SE of York Beach, Maine
M2.8
84 km
0 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
103 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
197 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
145 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 57 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Sep 29, 1974
EF3
78 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 25, 1969
EF3
70 km
5.7 mi
0
May 20, 1963
EF3
77 km
14.0 mi
0
Jun 9, 1953
EF3
47 km
1.5 mi
0
Jul 24, 2008
EF2
17 km
50.5 mi
1
May 21, 2006
EF2
58 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 6, 1999
EF2
0 km
7.5 mi
0
May 31, 1998
EF2
59 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 3, 1997
EF2
57 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 22, 1981
EF2
20 km
8.7 mi
0
May 3, 1976
EF2
43 km
1.0 mi
0
May 11, 1973
EF2
58 km
0.5 mi
0
Jul 21, 1972
EF2
69 km
7.6 mi
0
Jul 3, 1972
EF2
16 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 6, 1969
EF2
83 km
1.5 mi
0
Jul 17, 1968
EF2
65 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 10, 1966
EF2
47 km
0.2 mi
0
Aug 11, 1966
EF2
99 km
9.0 mi
0
Aug 11, 1966
EF2
92 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 28, 1965
EF2
67 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
—
143 km
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2005
THE RANGE
760
93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
24°F (-5°C)
3.2 in
February
23°F (-5°C)
3.0 in
Coldest, Driest
March
32°F (0°C)
3.3 in
April
43°F (6°C)
3.7 in
May
54°F (12°C)
3.7 in
June
63°F (17°C)
3.5 in
July
71°F (22°C)
3.6 in
Warmest
August
67°F (19°C)
3.6 in
September
59°F (15°C)
3.4 in
October
48°F (9°C)
3.9 in
November
38°F (3°C)
4.4 in
Wettest
December
26°F (-3°C)
3.7 in
Pittsfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 23°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.0 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (3.0").