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Weather & Climate in West Chatham, MA

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 Average50.9°F
6% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Geography

Elevation33 ft (10 m)
Area2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density458/sq mi
Coordinates41.6810°N, 69.9926°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyBarnstable County County
Nearest AirportNew Bedford Regional (EWB)
50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 45.2"
19% above US avg
Wettest Month (Dec) 4.33"
Driest Month (Jul) 2.99"

Air Quality

AQI Median37.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability34.5 / 100
Community Resilience99.3 / 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").

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