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Weather & Climate in Sandwich, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sandwich 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 25 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 | 25 ft (8 m) |
| Area | 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 822/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.7571°N, 70.4980°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Barnstable County County |
| Nearest Airport | New Bedford Regional (EWB) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
19 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 | 146 km | 11 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 62 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 149 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 127 km | 2 km |
| Mar 12, 2002 | 52 km E of Chatham, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 98 km | 1 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 114 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 128 km | 25 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 141 km | 0 km |
| Oct 13, 1999 | 2 km E of Littleton Common, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 118 km | 2 km |
| Oct 11, 1990 | 5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts | M2.7 | 21 km | 13 km |
| Feb 15, 2018 | 0 km SE of East Kingston, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 136 km | 7 km |
| Jan 13, 2015 | 2 km E of Wauregan, Connecticut | M2.6 | 115 km | 9 km |
| Apr 22, 1996 | 3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts | M2.6 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Jan 23, 1990 | 3 km NNW of Boxborough, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jun 7, 2002 | 3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts | M2.5 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jan 21, 2000 | 3 km W of Fremont, New Hampshire | M2.5 | 148 km | 2 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
6 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 | 266 km |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 186 km |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 86 mph | 295 km |
| 1996 | Edouard | Category 1 | 81 mph | 219 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 85 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 191 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980-2026).
Tornado History
72 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 2 fatalities, 46 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF2 | 89 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 83 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 1970 | EF2 | 38 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 18, 1967 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1958 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Nov 21, 1956 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Dec 18, 1951 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | EF1 | 80 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 2024 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2023 | EF1 | 84 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 2023 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF1 | 60 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF1 | 76 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2023 | EF1 | 30 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 29, 2023 | EF1 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2019 | EF1 | 36 km | 2.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2019 | EF1 | 25 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 2019 | EF1 | 22 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Oct 23, 2018 | EF1 | 81 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: NOMANS AERIAL RX (546 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | NOMANS AERIAL RX | 546 | 62 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) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.6 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 53°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| November | 44°F (7°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| December | 35°F (2°C) | 4.3 in |
Sandwich has a seasonal temperature swing of 41°F / from 29°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 45.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.6") and July the driest (3.1").