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Weather & Climate in South Shaftsbury, VT
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
South Shaftsbury experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 38.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31. The city sits at an elevation of 974 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.7°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 974 ft (297 m) |
| Area | 2.2 sq mi (5.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 197/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.9406°N, 73.1946°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Rensselaer County County |
| Nearest Airport | Albany International (ALB) 33 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 31.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 82.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 87.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | No Rating |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jun 17, 1991 | 7 km NE of Worcester, New York | M4.0 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Apr 20, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Newcomb, New York | M3.8 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2000 | 5 km NE of Granville, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 98 km | 10 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Dec 13, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.2 | 85 km | 10 km |
| Mar 11, 2020 | 0 km SSW of South Glens Falls, New York | M3.1 | 53 km | 13 km |
| May 18, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M3.1 | 85 km | 9 km |
| Jul 24, 2007 | 12 km SSW of Altamont, New York | M3.1 | 84 km | 15 km |
| Oct 21, 2009 | 15 km N of Medusa, New York | M2.9 | 85 km | 7 km |
| Sep 29, 1994 | 13 km WNW of North Creek, New York | M2.9 | 117 km | 16 km |
| May 14, 2007 | 5 km ESE of Benson, Vermont | M2.8 | 84 km | 8 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 121 km | 7 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 2009 | 9 km SW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 83 km | 16 km |
| Aug 27, 2011 | 5 km WSW of Altamont, New York | M2.8 | 79 km | 22 km |
| Sep 30, 1991 | 0 km SSE of Bedford, New Hampshire | M2.7 | 137 km | 4 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 | 223 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 120 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
162 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 101 fatalities, 1,400 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1995 | EF4 | 85 km | 11.5 mi | 3 |
| Aug 28, 1973 | EF4 | 61 km | 9.8 mi | 4 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 99 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| May 22, 2014 | EF3 | 82 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF3 | 47 km | 30.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1974 | EF3 | 93 km | 49.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 13, 1971 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 20, 1968 | EF3 | 37 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 89 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 1960 | EF3 | 58 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 2013 | EF2 | 83 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2006 | EF2 | 78 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2003 | EF2 | 73 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 2002 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 55 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 63 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 86 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1995 | EF2 | 95 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1976 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.1 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 | 24 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.8 in | |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 2.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 3.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 4.1 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.0 in | |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| November | 37°F (3°C) | 3.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 3.4 in |
South Shaftsbury has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 22°F in February to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 42.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (2.6").