Climate and monthly weather forecast
Massachusetts, USA

Massachusetts has a mainly humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Southeastern coastal areas show shades of a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) with relatively mild winters. The Atlantic Ocean stretches from the northeast to the southeast, while Rhode Island and Connecticut in the south, New York in the west, Vermont and New Hampshire in the north form the borders of the state. Massachusetts lies in the New England region of the northeastern United States. The distance from the relatively mild ocean waters, elevation, and terrain influence the climate in the different parts of the state.

Massachusetts, the Bay State, lies at an average elevation of 150 meters, with Mount Greylock as the highest peak at 1064 meters. The topography consists of mountains in the west and rolling hills, flatlands with marshes, lakes, and ponds along the coastal plains and the central region. Three climatic divisions prominently split the state. The Western division consists of low mountains of the Berkshire Hills and the Taconic Range. The Coastal division consists of a 10 to 20 miles wide strip along the Atlantic Coast. The Central division consists of flatlands and mountains, such as the southern White Mountains of the Monadnock region. Including the southern and eastern shores of the Cape Cod Bay, the coastline is 200 miles long.

The best time to visit Massachusetts is from May in late spring to mid-autumn in October. Temperatures are warm by mid-May, with a marked decrease in storm activities. Summers are warm and beautiful on the seaside as well as the mountains. Cruise vacations are popular at the peak of the summer and include attractive destinations like Cape Ann, Boston, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket. Numerous state parks, inland waterways, and coastal beaches attract the maximum number of tourists during the pleasant summer weather. Autumn is colorful and draws crowds from all over the United States.

The worst time to visit Massachusetts is from November to February, when the weather is severely cold. Cold fronts are frequent, and the first of the snowstorms usually occur by November. The resulting accumulation of snow taxes the snow plows and the state to the hilt. Mountain trails and state parks close for the winter as chilly winds and massive snow act as significant barriers. Roads are slippery and icy and even shut down in case of massive snow accumulation. Winter days are short, and the skies are often gloomy in the absence of intense sunshine. Winter is a treat for snow lovers.

Spring in Massachusetts is a transitional period, with the environment evolving from the frosty remnants of winter to the budding warmth of summer. The season starts off cold but gradually warms, ensuring an influx of wet conditions. Rainfall is common, serving to rejuvenate the landscapes and prepare them for the oncoming summer. Fog is a frequent visitor, especially in areas near Cape Cod Bay and the offshore islands. As spring progresses, the temperature becomes increasingly comfortable, making it an opportune time for tourists to explore before the summer rush.

Summers in Massachusetts offer a comfortable temperature spectrum, generally fluctuating between 70°F (21.1°C) to 85°F (29.4°C). The peak of summer, in July, might witness five to fifteen exceptionally hot days exceeding 90°F (32.2°C). Despite the daytime warmth, nights remain relatively mild, providing relief from the heat. Coastal areas, including Cape Cod and the offshore islands, tend to remain slightly cooler than the state's interior regions. Thunderstorms occasionally roll in, bringing with them localized bouts of precipitation.

Autumn in Massachusetts is a visual spectacle, characterized by a canvas of vibrant hues. As the season deepens, it's not uncommon for areas to experience frost and sporadic ice spells. While temperatures remain moderate during the early part of the season, a noticeable chill emerges as winter approaches. Despite the colder turn, the allure of the season's colorful foliage ensures a steady stream of visitors, keen to witness New England's famed autumnal transformation.

Winter blankets Massachusetts in a snowy shroud, with areas like Cape Cod receiving an average snowfall of 25" (635mm) and the western division getting as much as 80" (2032mm). Snowstorms are common, and it's not rare for at least one storm to deposit more than 5" (127mm) of snow. The temperature differences across regions become more pronounced, with some areas in the western mountains plummeting to subzero temperatures. Days when cloud cover is less than 80% number around two hundred, offering sunlight in limited doses. Frost becomes an almost daily phenomenon, lingering from the late fall until early spring.

January firmly places Massachusetts in the heart of winter. It's one of the coldest months of the year, often vying with February for that distinction. Temperatures during January oscillate between cold and biting cold. The average low for this month can reach subzero values, especially in the western mountainous regions, while the highs generally hover from 30°F (-1.1°C) (−34°F (1.1°C)) to 40°F (4.4°C). Cities like Chester, in particular, have recorded some of the state's most frigid temperatures in January. Weather in January »

February, though short in days, retains the winter's chilly embrace in Massachusetts. The month often sees temperatures quite similar to January, sometimes even contesting with it for the title of the coldest month. Throughout February, temperature ranges typically fluctuate from lows around 10°F (-12.2°C) in the more elevated western regions to highs reaching up to 45°F (7.2°C) on milder days, especially closer to the coast. Certain cities, such as New Bedford, exhibit slightly warmer conditions, influenced by their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. Weather in February »

March heralds the onset of spring in Massachusetts, though the month exhibits a blend of wintry remnants and emerging warmer days. Early March still clings to winter's cold, with temperatures often ranging from 20°F (-6.7°C) in the colder regions to highs of 50°F (10°C) during the occasional warmer afternoons, especially in the southeastern coastal areas. In cities like Boston, the influence of the Atlantic Ocean becomes more apparent in March. Weather in March »

April in Massachusetts is synonymous with the full bloom of spring. The month witnesses a considerable temperature upswing from the transitional fluctuations of March. Daytime temperatures frequently reach a comfortable range from 50°F (10°C) to 65°F (18.3°C), while nights remain cooler, occasionally dropping to 40°F (4.4°C) or slightly lower, especially in the western and interior regions. Boston and other coastal regions, influenced by the Atlantic Ocean's tempering effects, often display the most consistent warmth during April. Weather in April »

May in Massachusetts is a celebration of the full-fledged arrival of spring, transitioning smoothly into the early hints of summer. As temperatures continue to rise, the state revels in averages from 55°F (12.8°C) on cooler nights to pleasant highs of 75°F (23.9°C) during the day. Weather in May »

June ushers in the official start of summer in Massachusetts, and with it comes an appreciable warmth that permeates both days and nights. Daytime temperatures often hover in the range of 70°F (21.1°C) to 85°F (29.4°C), making it one of the warmest months of the year. Weather in June »

July stands as the zenith of summer in Massachusetts, showcasing the most pronounced warmth and vibrancy of the entire year. The state experiences temperatures ranging from 60°F (15.6°C) during the cooler nights to an often balmy 90°F (32.2°C) or more during the daytime. Weather in July »

August in Massachusetts is a continuation of summer's warmth, but with a perceptible shift as the month progresses. The state typically experiences temperatures ranging from 59°F (15°C) during nighttime to highs around 88°F (31.1°C) in the daytime. Weather in August »

September in Massachusetts heralds the onset of autumn, a season celebrated for its picturesque landscapes and temperate conditions. The state sees temperatures oscillating between a comfortable 52°F (11.1°C) during the cooler nights and reaching up to 75°F (23.9°C) during the daytime. Weather in September »

October in Massachusetts is quintessentially autumnal, characterized by crisp air, shorter days, and a brilliant display of fall colors. The state witnesses temperatures fluctuating between a chilly 42°F (5.6°C) during the nights and reaching highs of 65°F (18.3°C) in the daytime. Weather in October »

November in Massachusetts marks a palpable transition from the vibrant hues and temperate conditions of autumn to the colder, more muted tones of impending winter. The month's temperature spectrum typically ranges from a brisk 34°F (1.1°C) during the nights to daytime highs hovering around 53°F (11.7°C). Weather in November »

December in Massachusetts is characterized by its wintry embrace, where the landscape transforms under the chill of the season and the beauty of snowfall. Temperature fluctuations are most evident in this month, with nighttime lows plummeting to 26°F (-3.3°C) and daytime highs rarely surpassing 42°F (5.6°C). Weather in December »