Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Popponesset experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 70°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 53.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 8 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
49.5°F
8% below US avg
January Average
29°F (-2°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
271 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
8 ft (2 m)
Area
0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density
1,670/sq mi
Coordinates
41.5736°N, 70.4634°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Barnstable County County
Nearest Airport
New Bedford Regional (EWB) 27 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall53.0"
39% above US avg
Wettest Month (Nov)4.53"
Driest Month (Jul)3.03"
Air Quality
AQI Median
37.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Moderate
Risk Score
89.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability
34.5 / 100
Community Resilience
99.3 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Hurricane
Relatively High
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Moderate
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Low
Lightning
Relatively High
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Relatively Low
Coastal Flood
Very High
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
13 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.3.
Jan 12, 2015
0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut
M3.3
121 km
5 km
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
66 km
12 km
Jan 10, 1999
2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts
M3.1
147 km
2 km
Mar 12, 2002
52 km E of Chatham, Massachusetts
M3.0
94 km
1 km
Jan 10, 1999
1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts
M3.0
148 km
2 km
Jul 22, 2003
72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts
M3.0
130 km
10 km
Jan 8, 1998
52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts
M2.9
147 km
25 km
Oct 11, 1990
5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts
M2.7
41 km
13 km
Oct 13, 1999
2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts
M2.7
135 km
2 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
51 km
5 km
Jan 13, 2015
2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut
M2.6
119 km
9 km
Jun 7, 2002
3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts
M2.5
112 km
5 km
Jan 23, 1990
3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts
M2.5
138 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
7 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980.
Strongest on record: Category 2.
Year
Name
Category
Max Wind
Closest
2021
Henri
Category 1
75 mph
246 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
98 mph
293 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
166 km
2008
Kyle
Category 1
86 mph
283 km
1996
Edouard
Category 1
81 mph
202 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
109 mph
80 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
197 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
54 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 32 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 18, 2023
EF2
96 km
9.1 mi
0
Aug 7, 1986
EF2
85 km
4.0 mi
0
Aug 28, 1970
EF2
36 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 18, 1967
EF2
57 km
0.1 mi
0
Nov 21, 1956
EF2
88 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 18, 1951
EF2
23 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 26, 2024
EF1
89 km
8.6 mi
0
Jun 26, 2024
EF1
74 km
0.6 mi
0
Sep 13, 2023
EF1
93 km
0.2 mi
0
Aug 18, 2023
EF1
78 km
0.4 mi
0
Aug 18, 2023
EF1
86 km
7.6 mi
0
Aug 8, 2023
EF1
34 km
0.9 mi
0
Jul 29, 2023
EF1
81 km
0.2 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
16 km
5.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
20 km
0.3 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
34 km
2.8 mi
0
Oct 23, 2018
EF1
90 km
1.5 mi
0
Oct 23, 2018
EF1
75 km
0.8 mi
0
Jul 23, 2008
EF1
70 km
4.3 mi
0
Aug 21, 2004
EF1
96 km
6.0 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: NOMANS AERIAL RX (546 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
NOMANS AERIAL RX
546
46 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
29°F (-2°C)
3.9 in
Coldest
February
31°F (-1°C)
3.7 in
March
38°F (3°C)
3.9 in
April
46°F (8°C)
4.1 in
May
56°F (13°C)
3.7 in
June
65°F (18°C)
3.3 in
July
70°F (21°C)
3.0 in
Warmest, Driest
August
70°F (21°C)
3.6 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.6 in
October
53°F (12°C)
3.8 in
November
45°F (7°C)
4.5 in
Wettest
December
35°F (2°C)
4.3 in
Popponesset has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 29°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.4 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.5") and July the driest (3.0").