Weather & Climate in Provincetown, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Provincetown experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 49.2 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 82% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 11 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 32°F (0°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 11 ft (3 m) |
| Area | 5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,936/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0565°N, 70.1785°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Essex County County |
| Nearest Airport | General Edward Lawrence Logan International (BOS) 47 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 82.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 4 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 95.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very High |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 117 km | 11 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 97 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 109 km | 2 km |
| Mar 12, 2002 | 52 km E of Chatham, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 85 km | 1 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 133 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 110 km | 2 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 72 km | 10 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 108 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 90 km | 25 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 108 km | 0 km |
| Mar 9, 2020 | 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine | M2.7 | 139 km | 12 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 147 km | 4 km |
| Feb 15, 2018 | 0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 118 km | 7 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 117 km | 2 km |
| Oct 11, 1990 | 5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 35 km | 13 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut | M2.6 | 145 km | 9 km |
| Apr 22, 1996 | 3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts | M2.6 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jan 21, 2000 | 3 km W of Fremont, New Hampshire | M2.5 | 132 km | 2 km |
| Jan 23, 1990 | 3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 124 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
5 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 210 km |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 86 mph | 290 km |
| 1996 | Edouard | Category 1 | 81 mph | 233 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 66 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 217 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
54 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 fatalities, 19 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1970 | EF2 | 78 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1967 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1958 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1956 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 1951 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF1 | 69 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2023 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2019 | EF1 | 42 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2019 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2019 | EF1 | 48 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2018 | EF1 | 85 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2008 | EF1 | 100 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1991 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 1986 | EF1 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF1 | 100 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 22, 1977 | EF1 | 44 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°F (0°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 33°F (0°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 4.8 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 4.3 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 in | |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 37°F (3°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
Provincetown has a seasonal temperature swing of 39°F / from 32°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 49.2 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.9") and July the driest (3.2").