Air Quality
Rhode Island enjoys generally good air quality, with fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels averaging around 6.8 µg/m³, well below national health thresholds.
Monitored days with good air quality
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Rhode Island counties.
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
1990–2025U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³) | 6.8 | 8 |
- •Rhode Island's coastal winds help disperse pollutants, contributing to its consistently good air quality ratings.
Wildfires
Rhode Island records minimal wildfire activity, with less than 200 hectares typically burned per year thanks to its humid climate and small forested land area.
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual area burned (hectares) | 200 | 1600000 |
- •Rhode Island's dense population and small land area leave little room for large wildfires to spread.
Drought
Rhode Island rarely experiences severe drought conditions, with its humid climate and reliable precipitation limiting sustained water shortages compared to drier states.
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
2000–2025U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Annual precipitation (mm) | 1220 | 900 |
- •Rhode Island has not declared a statewide drought emergency as frequently as many other U.S. states.
Water Usage
Rhode Island uses approximately 500 million gallons of water per day across residential, commercial and industrial needs, drawing mainly from reservoirs and groundwater.
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Daily water use (million gallons) | 500 | 322000 |
- •The Scituate Reservoir supplies drinking water to about 60% of Rhode Island's population.
Emissions
Rhode Island's total CO2 emissions are about 10.4 million metric tons, the lowest of any U.S. state, thanks to its small population and limited industrial base.
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTORIA).
Transportation CO₂ emissions
1970–2021U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTORIA).
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total CO2 emissions (MMT) | 10.4 | 4900 |
- •Rhode Island produces less CO2 in total than any other U.S. state.
Climate Indicators
Rhode Island has a humid continental to temperate climate, with an average annual temperature of 10.6°C and roughly 1,220 mm of precipitation spread throughout the year.
Average annual temperature
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.
Annual precipitation
1895–2025NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.
| Indicator | Rhode Island | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Average annual temperature (°C) | 10.6 | 12.9 |
- •Rhode Island's nickname, the Ocean State, reflects how its climate is heavily moderated by Narragansett Bay and the Atlantic.