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Weather & Climate in Riverside, CT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Riverside experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 53°F (11°C). Winters average 30°F in January while summers reach 75°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 51.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. The city sits at an elevation of 62 feet.
Temperature
30°F Jan (-1°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 52.6°F |
| 3% below US avg | |
| January Average | 30°F (-1°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 271 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,808/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.0301°N, 73.5837°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Westchester County County |
| Nearest Airport | Laguardia (LGA) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively High |
| Risk Score | 96.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 47.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Moderate |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.8.
| Apr 5, 2024 | 2024 Tewksbury, New Jersey Earthquake | M4.8 | 106 km | 3 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M3.7 | 105 km | 4 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Aug 26, 2003 | 4 km NNW of Milford, New Jersey | M3.1 | 137 km | 3 km |
| Jan 9, 1992 | 4 km WNW of Robertsville, New Jersey | M3.1 | 98 km | 8 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 5 km | 10 km |
| Aug 3, 2025 | 0 km W of Little Ferry, New Jersey | M3.0 | 44 km | 10 km |
| Feb 3, 2009 | 1 km ESE of Victory Gardens, New Jersey | M3.0 | 81 km | 0 km |
| May 24, 2024 | 6 km E of Califon, New Jersey | M2.9 | 105 km | 7 km |
| Apr 27, 2024 | 7 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.9 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 126 km | 10 km |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 1 km N of Hillsdale, New Jersey | M2.8 | 38 km | 12 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 15 km | 9 km |
| Aug 14, 2014 | 6 km SW of Deep River Center, Connecticut | M2.7 | 98 km | 4 km |
| Aug 14, 2015 | 3 km SE of Mendham, New Jersey | M2.6 | 89 km | 8 km |
| Oct 27, 2001 | 1 km NNW of Manhattan, New York | M2.6 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Aug 22, 2000 | 2 km WSW of Brewster Hill, New York | M2.6 | 44 km | 7 km |
| May 1, 2024 | 1 km NW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Apr 10, 2024 | 5 km WSW of Gladstone, New Jersey | M2.6 | 103 km | 9 km |
| Apr 5, 2024 | 6 km ESE of Califon, New Jersey | M2.6 | 106 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
4 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 | 285 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 81 mph | 286 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 109 mph | 142 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 2 | 98 mph | 54 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
212 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 284 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 69 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1988 | EF3 | 86 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 1973 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 70 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| May 15, 2018 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2009 | EF2 | 94 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2007 | EF2 | 63 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2006 | EF2 | 24 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2001 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 2001 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 2000 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1999 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1998 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 74 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 91 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1986 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
2 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1964 | LONG ISLAND, NY | Meteorological | 0.3 m | — | 48 km |
| 1895 | HIGH BRIDGE, NJ | Earthquake | — | — | 117 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (23,000 acres, 1985).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 23,000 | 48 km |
| 2024 | JENNINGS CREEK | 5,069 | 62 km |
| 2015 | ROOSA GAP | 2,747 | 97 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,224 | 97 km |
| 2016 | SAMS POINT FIRE-VERKEERDER FIRE | 1,929 | 96 km |
| 2012 | CRESCENT BOW FIRE | 1,068 | 65 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 833 | 51 km |
| 2016 | SHERWOOD | 642 | 46 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.2 in | Driest |
| March | 39°F (4°C) | 4.3 in | |
| April | 49°F (9°C) | 4.4 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 4.0 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 4.3 in | |
| December | 34°F (1°C) | 4.0 in |
Riverside has a seasonal temperature swing of 45°F / from 30°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.2").