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Weather & Climate in Southwest Harbor, ME
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Southwest Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 234 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 55.5 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34. The city sits at an elevation of 95 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.3°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 234 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 417/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.2784°N, 68.3286°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hancock County County |
| Nearest Airport | Knox County Regional (RKD) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 34.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 55.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
39 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 26, 1999 | 0 km NW of China, Maine | M3.8 | 97 km | 3 km |
| Feb 2, 2016 | 8 km E of Lubec, Maine | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 7 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.6 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jan 3, 2000 | 4 km W of Leeds, Maine | M3.5 | 147 km | 10 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.3 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Sep 16, 1994 | 9 km SE of Lee, Maine | M3.3 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jan 14, 2023 | 7 km ESE of Dedham, Maine | M3.3 | 47 km | 10 km |
| Oct 25, 2001 | 4 km S of Howland, Maine | M3.3 | 106 km | 9 km |
| Sep 7, 2000 | 7 km WSW of Liberty, Maine | M3.2 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jul 25, 2010 | 35 km S of Fundy Bay, Canada | M3.2 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1994 | 13 km NNE of Monhegan, Maine | M3.1 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Oct 15, 2003 | 11 km E of Saint Andrews, Canada | M3.1 | 143 km | 18 km |
| Dec 25, 1999 | 4 km NE of Saint Albans, Maine | M3.0 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Mar 30, 2010 | 7 km WSW of Dedham, Maine | M3.0 | 55 km | 4 km |
| Aug 17, 2022 | 3 km SE of Centerville, Maine | M3.0 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jan 17, 2021 | 4 km ESE of Centerville, Maine | M2.9 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jul 28, 2024 | 6 km W of Gardiner, Maine | M2.8 | 122 km | 8 km |
| Aug 11, 2022 | 4 km E of Centerville, Maine | M2.8 | 74 km | 6 km |
| Aug 11, 2022 | Maine | M2.8 | 73 km | 4 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
3 hurricanes (Category 1+) recorded within 500 km since 1980. Strongest on record: Category 1.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2010 | Earl | Category 1 | 75 mph | 255 km |
| 2008 | Kyle | Category 1 | 81 mph | 178 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 1 | — | 256 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
12 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 7 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Sep 15, 1961 | EF2 | 63 km | 19.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 16, 1959 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1991 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1977 | EF1 | 27 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 1969 | EF1 | 69 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1968 | EF1 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1965 | EF1 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1959 | EF1 | 62 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1959 | EF1 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF1 | 71 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1958 | EF1 | 72 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 1963 | EF0 | 100 km | 17.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2008 | MAINE | Avalanche | 3.6 m | — | 122 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (901 acres, 1984).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1984 | UNNAMED | 901 | 67 km |
| 2006 | CENTERVILLE FIRE | 705 | 68 km |
| 2001 | UNNAMED | 627 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 5.0 in | |
| February | 24°F (-5°C) | 4.1 in | Coldest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 4.7 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 4.9 in | |
| May | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 3.9 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | Driest |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 in | |
| November | 39°F (4°C) | 6.0 in | Wettest |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 5.4 in |
Southwest Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in February to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 53.6 inches, with November being the wettest month (6.0") and August the driest (3.0").