All Countries
Weather & Climate in Russell, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Russell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 246 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 45.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 574 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 49.4°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 246 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 574 ft (175 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 247/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.2039°N, 72.8619°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hampden County County |
| Nearest Airport | Westfield-Barnes Regional (BAF) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 92.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 64.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 73.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively 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
31 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 51 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 56 km | 10 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 12 km | 10 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 146 km | 12 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 137 km | 13 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 111 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 112 km | 15 km |
| Oct 28, 1991 | 3 km WNW of Stamford, Connecticut | M3.0 | 139 km | 10 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 110 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 148 km | 7 km |
| Mar 10, 1992 | 2 km SW of Napeague, New York | M2.8 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 113 km | 16 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 114 km | 22 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 123 km | 2 km |
| Apr 12, 1991 | 2 km ENE of North Castle, New York | M2.7 | 134 km | 9 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 138 km | 4 km |
| Aug 25, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.7 | 114 km | 18 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 | 151 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 34 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
270 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 111 fatalities, 2,240 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 47 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Jul 10, 1989 | EF4 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1979 | EF4 | 39 km | 11.3 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 52 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 64 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 1, 2011 | EF3 | 15 km | 37.6 mi | 3 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 76 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 80 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 21 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 1971 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 59 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 99 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1962 | EF3 | 76 km | 11.6 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1954 | EF3 | 45 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 90 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1951 | EF3 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 54 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 91 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: EAST MOUNTAIN (964 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | EAST MOUNTAIN | 964 | 63 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 3.6 in | |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 3.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 4.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 4.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 4.3 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 4.5 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 in |
Russell has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 23°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (3.5").