Connecticut

Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Climate In Connecticut’s moderate climate, the average January temperature is around 26 °F (−3 °C), and most of the state receives about 35 to 45 inches (890 to 1,145 mm) of snow each year. In the northwest, however, the average snowfall exceeds 75 inches (1,900 mm). Snow may remain on the ground until March, but mild spells and rains usually melt it earlier in the year. Summers average between 70 and 75 °F (21 and 24 °C), with occasional heat waves driving daytime temperatures above 90 °F (32 °C). Longtime Hartford resident Plant and animal life Prior to its settlement by Europeans, Connecticut was a forested region. The few man-made clearings, the swampy floodplains, and the tidal marshes accounted for only about 5 percent of the total area. The southern two-thirds was largely oak forest, and the northern border belonged to the northern hardwood region of birch,

As Connecticut tourism attractions reopen their doors, your safety is the top priority. We hope this page can be a source of inspiration for you—and a place to learn about Connecticut’s many cultural, historical, outdoor and culinary offerings—for now or when you’re ready to travel again. See ideas based on your interests

• • • • Connecticut, a small state in the northeastern The terrain of Connecticut varies significantly throughout the state. However, the eastern parts consist mainly of lowlands and hilly uplands that cover most of the state's area. The terrain here generally has gentle slopes with some steeper slopes near river valleys; predominantly forested hills are found in this area too. In contrast, the western portion contains several ridges and mountains, including Talcott Mountain and Ragged Mountain, with elevations reaching 1,000 feet above sea level. The climate of Connecticut is a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold winters with extreme precipitation throughout the year. Average summer temperatures vary from 70°F-80°F while winter temperatures dip below freezing from December to February. Snowfall typically occurs from late November to early April, with significant accumulations between December through March in some parts of the state. In terms of water resources, Connecticut has several significant rivers, including the Thames River, Connecticut River, and Housatonic River, which all have substantial water volume compared to other rivers in Various types of soils occupy different parts of Connecticut, including loams which make up most of the coastal plain soil type, while sandy loams occupy much higher elevations in northern reaches like Talcott Mountain State Park region; silt loam covers much of Litchfield County while heavy clay creates areas near Rive...