If you’re checking the North Bennington VT weather because you’re planning a weekend at the Park-McCullough House or just passing through the Shires of Vermont, you’ve probably seen the standard "partly cloudy" forecast. Boring. Honestly, the weather here is a lot more chaotic and charming than a 7-day outlook suggests. It’s the kind of place where you can wake up to a crisp, blue-sky morning and be dodging a localized downpour by lunchtime.
Most people lump North Bennington in with the rest of Southern Vermont, but being tucked into that little valley near the New York border creates some weird micro-quirks. You’re not quite in the high peaks, but you’re definitely not in the flats of the Champlain Valley either.
📖 Related: One Day in Paris Itinerary: How to Actually See the City Without Losing Your Mind
The Reality of Seasons in North Bennington
Spring doesn't exist. Not really. We have "Mud Season," which is basically a six-week span where the ground turns into chocolate pudding and everyone’s Subaru looks like it went through an off-road obstacle course.
Why January is the Real Test
January is brutal. It’s the coldest month of the year, with average highs sitting right around 31°F and lows dipping to 15°F or lower. If you’re coming from a warmer climate, that sounds cold, but it’s the wind that gets you. The wind speed stays around 8 mph on average, but when it whips through the village, it feels significantly sharper.
Snowfall is the main event. North Bennington averages about 79 to 83 inches of snow annually. January takes the lion's share of that, often dumping over 20 inches in a single month. You'll see locals out with snowblowers at 5:00 AM like it’s a competitive sport.
📖 Related: Is the Bunny Ranch in Nevada Still Open: What Most People Get Wrong
The "Banana Belt" Myth
You might hear people call this area part of the "banana belt" of Vermont. This is a bit of an exaggeration. While it’s true that North Bennington is lower in elevation and often escapes the 3-foot dumps that hit the Green Mountain National Forest just to the east, it’s still Vermont.
- July is the hottest month: Expect highs of 81°F and lows of 57°F.
- Humidity kicks in: In July and August, the relative humidity can hit 78%, making those "pleasant" afternoons feel a bit more like a sauna.
- The Wettest Month: Surprisingly, July is often the wettest, averaging about 5 inches of precipitation. These usually come in the form of late-afternoon thunderstorms that roll in fast and leave the air smelling like wet slate.
Navigating North Bennington VT Weather by Month
If you’re looking for the sweet spot, aim for August or September.
August is basically the gold medal winner of Vermont months. The sky is clear about 62% of the time, which is as good as it gets in New England. You’ve got long days, the lake-effect clouds stay away, and the bugs have mostly stopped trying to eat you alive.
✨ Don't miss: Centralia: What Really Happened to the Pennsylvania Town Still on Fire
Then comes October.
October is when the North Bennington VT weather becomes a postcard. Highs drop to 60°F, and the air gets that specific "apple cider" crispness. But don't be fooled—the first frost usually hits between October 1 and October 10. If you’re a gardener or just visiting, that’s when the windshield scraping officially begins.
Rainfall and the "Gray Period"
November is when things get a bit bleak. It’s the driest month for actual rain, but it’s also when the cloud cover starts to settle in for its 7-month residency. By December, the sun is only out for about 2.9 hours a day. It’s basically "big sweater and Vitamin D supplement" season.
Practical Survival Tips for the Shires
Don't trust the temperature alone. The dew point in North Bennington fluctuates wildly. In the summer, a dew point of 62°F means you’ll feel the "muggy" factor. In the winter, the "real feel" is almost always 10 degrees lower than the thermometer says due to the moisture in the air.
Pack layers. This isn't just a cliché. I’ve seen it go from 45°F at sunrise to 75°F by 2:00 PM in late May. A light wool base layer is your best friend if you're hiking the Mile-Around Woods.
Check the soil. If it rained yesterday, the trails here stay wet. The soil in this part of Bennington County holds onto moisture, leading to "slip-and-slide" conditions on even the easiest walking paths.
Watch the sky in the afternoon. Because of the way the valley sits, storms can "trap" themselves against the mountains to the east. You might see sun to the west over New York, but North Bennington will be getting hammered with rain.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Dew Point: Before planning a hike, look at the dew point, not just the temp. If it's over 65°F, you're going to sweat through your shirt in minutes.
- Winter Tires are Non-Negotiable: If you’re visiting between November and April, do not rely on "all-season" tires. The hills around the village are notorious for black ice once the sun goes down.
- Peak Foliage Timing: For the best weather-to-color ratio, aim for the second week of October.
- Monitor Local Radars: Use an app that shows high-resolution local radar. National apps often miss the small storm cells that pop up over the Taconic Range and dump on North Bennington specifically.