Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
West Chatham experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 275 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 45.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. The city sits at an elevation of 33 feet.
Temperature
32°F Jan (0°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average
32°F (0°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
275 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
33 ft (10 m)
Area
2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density
458/sq mi
Coordinates
41.6810°N, 69.9926°W
Timezone
America/New_York
County
Barnstable County County
Nearest Airport
New Bedford Regional (EWB) 50 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall45.2"
19% above US avg
Wettest Month (Dec)4.33"
Driest Month (Jul)2.99"
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
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.1.
Mar 22, 1996
2 km NE of Bristol, Rhode Island
M3.1
104 km
12 km
Mar 12, 2002
52 km E of Chatham, Massachusetts
M3.0
56 km
1 km
Jul 22, 2003
72 km NNE of Provincetown, Massachusetts
M3.0
106 km
10 km
Jan 8, 1998
52 km ENE of Rockport, Massachusetts
M2.9
131 km
25 km
Oct 11, 1990
5 km NNE of The Pinehills, Massachusetts
M2.7
56 km
13 km
Apr 22, 1996
3 km NE of North Westport, Massachusetts
M2.6
89 km
5 km
Jun 7, 2002
3 km NNW of Hopedale, Massachusetts
M2.5
140 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Hurricane History
8 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
268 km
2019
Dorian
Category 2
98 mph
274 km
2014
Arthur
Category 1
75 mph
167 km
2009
Bill
Category 1
86 mph
287 km
2008
Kyle
Category 1
86 mph
254 km
1996
Edouard
Category 1
81 mph
189 km
1991
Bob
Category 2
104 mph
110 km
1985
Gloria
Category 1
86 mph
234 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Category 1+, 1980–2026).
Tornado History
25 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF2. Total: 1 fatality, 4 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Aug 28, 1970
EF2
76 km
1.0 mi
0
Nov 18, 1967
EF2
82 km
0.1 mi
0
Dec 18, 1951
EF2
57 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 18, 2023
EF1
97 km
0.4 mi
0
Aug 8, 2023
EF1
71 km
0.9 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
25 km
5.5 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
21 km
0.3 mi
0
Jul 23, 2019
EF1
7 km
2.8 mi
0
Jul 10, 1989
EF1
96 km
0.1 mi
0
Sep 16, 1986
EF1
84 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 22, 1977
EF1
24 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 9, 1968
EF1
75 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 9, 1968
EF1
35 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 4, 1964
EF1
80 km
2.3 mi
0
Aug 8, 2023
EF0
33 km
1.2 mi
0
Sep 1, 2021
EF0
20 km
0.1 mi
0
Oct 29, 2018
EF0
58 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 24, 2012
EF0
56 km
0.0 mi
0
Aug 20, 1997
EF0
65 km
0.1 mi
0
Aug 6, 1997
EF0
92 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: NOMANS AERIAL RX (546 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
NOMANS AERIAL RX
546
83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
32°F (0°C)
3.7 in
February
32°F (-0°C)
3.7 in
Coldest
March
38°F (3°C)
3.8 in
April
45°F (7°C)
3.6 in
May
54°F (12°C)
3.5 in
June
63°F (17°C)
3.1 in
July
71°F (22°C)
3.0 in
Warmest, Driest
August
69°F (20°C)
3.2 in
September
63°F (17°C)
3.6 in
October
53°F (12°C)
3.9 in
November
45°F (7°C)
4.3 in
December
37°F (3°C)
4.3 in
Wettest
West Chatham has a seasonal temperature swing of 40°F / from 32°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 43.5 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.3") and July the driest (3.0").