Farmington River & Barkhamsted Forests, CT

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Farmington River & Barkhamsted Forests outdoor landscape
Farmington River & Barkhamsted Forests — Photo by Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Today’s Forecast:

🌧
43°F
High: 43° | Low: 33°
Current Temperature
Light Rain
Station: KBDL
Observed at: 7:50 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 11 mph | Humidity: 93%
Tonight:Rain. Cloudy, with a low around 33. Northeast wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday:Rain and snow before 1pm, then a chance of rain showers between 1pm and 5pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 40. North wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Friday Night:A slight chance of rain and snow showers before 7pm. Cloudy, with a low around 29. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
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Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for hiking. High near 39°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Light wind (13 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (39°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 72/100
Good for hiking. High near 41°F. Low rain risk (3%). Light wind (12 mph).

⛺ Camping

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for camping. High near 39°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Light wind (13 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (39°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 73/100
Good for camping. High near 41°F. Low rain risk (3%). Light wind (12 mph).

🛶 Paddling

Not Recommended
  11 /100

Not Recommended for paddling. High near 39°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Breezy winds (13 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (39°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for paddling. High near 41°F. Low rain risk (3%). Breezy winds (12 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (41°F).

🐟 Fishing

Not Recommended
  12 /100

Not Recommended for fishing. High near 39°F. Rain forecast later today (76%). Breezy winds (13 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (39°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Marginal weather factor
  • Wind: Marginal weather factor
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 72/100
Good for fishing. High near 41°F. Low rain risk (3%). Breezy winds (12 mph).

About Farmington River & Barkhamsted Forests

The representative point supports planning for dam releases, cold river water, current, trout rules, forest access, campground season and limited cell service.

Planning the Day

Postpone paddling when releases or upstream rain are raising the river; choose a forest trail away from flooded banks and reserve legal campsites before arrival.

Weather and Access Tips

  • Use release and river-temperature information to decide whether paddling, tubing or trout fishing is appropriate.
  • Reserve legal campsites and plan for limited cell service; shift to higher forest trails when riverbanks or low roads flood.

Nearby Towns and Areas

  • New Hartford
  • Barkhamsted
  • American Legion State Forest
  • Peoples State Forest
  • Satan’s Kingdom

7-Day Forecast

🌧
43°F
High: 43° | Low: 33°
Current Temperature
Light Rain
Station: KBDL
Observed at: 7:50 pm CST on 11/12/26
Wind: 11 mph | Humidity: 93%
Fri ❄
40° 29°
78%
Sat ⛅
42° 30°
3%
Sun ⛅
45° 28°
4%
Mon ☀
47° 28°
0%
Tue ☀
51° 32°
0%
Wed ☀
57° 34°
0%
Thu ☀
60° --°
0%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

40° Fri 42° Sat 45° Sun 47° Mon 51° Tue 57° Wed 60° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

29° Fri 30° Sat 28° Sun 28° Mon 32° Tue 34° Wed 50° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 18 Fri 20 Sat 20 Sun 20 Mon 75 Tue 100 Wed 100 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 12, 2026 8:47 pm CST

Farmington River & Barkhamsted Forests Weather by Season

Winter

Cold water remains hazardous through winter and forest roads may be icy or unmaintained.

Spring

Releases and snowmelt change current while saturated trails and banks recover slowly.

Summer

Tubing, paddling and trout decisions depend on flow and temperature rather than sunshine alone.

Fall

Cooler water and stable weather help river use before frost and leaf-covered trails return.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Local climate: Cool river-valley climate; annual mean temperature roughly upper 40s °F; controlled releases and upstream rain can outweigh local precipitation.
  • Warmest or primary-use period: May through September is the main paddling and camping period, though trout and release conditions vary within it.
  • Coldest or limited-access period: Winter cold water and icy forest roads restrict river access even during brief warm spells.
  • Primary hazard season: Spring releases and runoff create the strongest current concerns; summer heat produces cold-water and trout-stress decisions.
  • Best practical window: September and early October often combine cooler water, stable weather and open forest access when releases remain suitable.