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Weather & Climate in Wakefield, MA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wakefield experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 259 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 50.0 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 63.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 71 feet.
Temperature
28°F Jan (-2°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 50.6°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 28°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 259 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 71 ft (22 m) |
| Area | 8.0 sq mi (20.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 3,692/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.5044°N, 71.0641°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Suffolk County County |
| Nearest Airport | Beverly Regional (BVY) 9 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 93.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 70.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Relatively Moderate |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively High |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively High |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
35 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Oct 16, 2012 | 5 km W of Hollis Center, Maine | M4.7 | 126 km | 16 km |
| Jan 27, 2025 | 9 km SE of York Harbor, Maine | M3.8 | 74 km | 11 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 6 km W of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.7 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Oct 6, 1992 | 1 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.4 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jan 12, 2015 | 0 km NE of Wauregan, Connecticut | M3.3 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Oct 2, 1994 | 1 km NW of Hardwick, Massachusetts | M3.3 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Sep 26, 2010 | 2 km SW of Canterbury, New Hampshire | M3.2 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Mar 22, 1996 | 2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island | M3.1 | 92 km | 12 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 2 km ENE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.1 | 38 km | 2 km |
| Jan 27, 2000 | 3 km WNW of Fremont, New Hampshire | M3.0 | 56 km | 1 km |
| Jan 10, 1999 | 1 km NNE of Merrimac, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 38 km | 2 km |
| Jul 22, 2003 | 72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts | M3.0 | 110 km | 10 km |
| Jan 8, 1998 | 52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts | M2.9 | 92 km | 25 km |
| Apr 25, 2023 | 4 km SW of Center Sandwich, New Hampshire | M2.9 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Jun 7, 2010 | 29 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.9 | 84 km | 10 km |
| Sep 28, 2002 | 2 km N of Wilton, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Mar 23, 1992 | 5 km SE of Hill, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Mar 21, 2016 | 4 km ESE of Warner, New Hampshire | M2.8 | 102 km | 7 km |
| Mar 9, 2008 | 25 km SE of York Beach, Maine | M2.8 | 81 km | 0 km |
| Mar 9, 2020 | 50 km ESE of Old Orchard Beach, Maine | M2.7 | 132 km | 12 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 2.
| Year | Name | Category | Max Wind | Closest |
| 2014 | Arthur | Category 1 | 75 mph | 280 km |
| 1991 | Bob | Category 2 | 104 mph | 47 km |
| 1985 | Gloria | Category 1 | 86 mph | 158 km |
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
166 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 100 fatalities, 1,336 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF4 | 91 km | 34.9 mi | 94 |
| Jun 22, 1981 | EF3 | 79 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 29, 1974 | EF3 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Oct 3, 1970 | EF3 | 93 km | 35.4 mi | 1 |
| May 20, 1963 | EF3 | 95 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 52 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1953 | EF3 | 69 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 18, 2023 | EF2 | 89 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 2014 | EF2 | 12 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 2008 | EF2 | 75 km | 50.5 mi | 1 |
| May 21, 2006 | EF2 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1999 | EF2 | 91 km | 7.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1998 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1997 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1986 | EF2 | 88 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1979 | EF2 | 90 km | 9.7 mi | 2 |
| May 3, 1976 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1972 | EF2 | 88 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1972 | EF2 | 35 km | 7.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1968 | EF2 | 70 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: THE RANGE (760 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | THE RANGE | 760 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28°F (-2°C) | 4.1 in | |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.4 in | Coldest |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 3.9 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 3.9 in | |
| November | 42°F (6°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| December | 31°F (-0°C) | 3.9 in |
Wakefield has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 28°F in February to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 44.2 inches, with November being the wettest month (4.1") and July the driest (3.2").