The climate of Pittsfield
Pittsfield, situated in
Massachusetts, USA, is distinguished by its predominantly Dfb Köppen climate classification. This represents a humid continental climate, typified by no dry season and warm summers. The city experiences significant variations in temperature, humidity, and rainfall throughout the year, affording it a rich array of weather patterns.
Throughout the year, mean high temperatures range from 28°F (-2.2°C) in the cooler months to a balmy 79.3°F (26.3°C) in the height of summer. Alongside these fluctuations in temperature, Pittsfield is also characterized by its diverse humidity levels, which oscillate between 76% and 85%. Rainfall varies month to month, peaking at 3.54" (90mm) in
May and dropping to a lower limit of 2.4" (61mm) in
January. The city sees its most considerable amount of rainfall days in May with 18.5 days, and the fewest in
February, with 7.9 days.
Pittsfield's unique weather condition is underlined by the presence of snowfall from
November till
April, reaching a maximum of 10.35" (263mm) in February, making it a truly winter wonderland during these months. Sunshine hours have a sizable swing across the year, from a humble 4 hours in January to almost 10 hours in
July. Similarly, the city records a UV index between 2 and 5, thus ensuring a generally low risk from excessive UV radiation.
The best time to visit Pittsfield
Discerning the most suitable period to visit
Pittsfield hinges predominantly on personal weather preferences. However, considering the climatic conditions, the summer months, from
June to
August, offer the highest temperatures, peaking at 79.3°F (26.3°C) in
July. These months showcase the city in its fullest bloom, with an average of 9 to 10 sunshine hours daily. Despite high humidity levels hovering between 78% to 79%, the precipitation is relatively low, ensuring outdoor activities are seldom disturbed by rainfall. It's worth noting that this period ranks high on the UV index scale, implying the necessity for robust protection during prolonged exposure to the sun.
The worst time to visit Pittsfield
The colder months of
January and
February may not cater to everyone's preference for a visit to
Pittsfield given the harsh winter conditions. With the lowest recorded average high temperature at 28°F (-2.2°C) in January and copious snowfall reaching to a high of 10.35" (263mm) in February, outdoor activities may be heavily curtailed. The city only basks in approximately 4 to 5 hours of daily sunshine, further lowering the temperature. These factors, combined with high humidity levels of up to 85% in February, can make this period inhospitable for some visitors.
Spring weather in Pittsfield
Spring in
Pittsfield encompasses the months of
March to
May. During this time, average high temperatures rise drastically from 39.7°F (4.3°C) to 65.8°F (18.8°C), signaling the retreat of winter and arrival of warmer days. Concurrently, the low temperatures vary from 24.4°F (-4.2°C) to 45.9°F (7.7°C). Rainfall experiences an uptick in spring, culminating in May with an average of 3.54" (90mm), complemented by 18.3 rainy days. Despite this, the extended daylight hours, reaching a pleasant 14.6 hours by May, implies longer periods for outdoor exploration and activities.
Summer weather in Pittsfield
June through
August marks the summer season in
Pittsfield. High temperatures are between 73.2°F (22.9°C) to 79.3°F (26.3°C) while lows vary from 52.5°F (11.4°C) to 59°F (15°C), offering warm and pleasant days. Even though humidity levels remain high during this period, rainfall is lower compared to spring, providing an ideal backdrop for leisure and recreational activities. The city enjoys its longest daylight and sunshine durations, reaching highs up to 15.2 and 9.9 hours respectively, lending a radiant glow to the summer months.
Autumn weather in Pittsfield
Autumn, spanning from
September to
November, witnesses a steady decline in temperatures. High temperatures decrease from 70.2°F (21.2°C) to 44.2°F (6.8°C) as the fall season progresses, while low temperatures follow a similar trend, ranging from 56.8°F (13.8°C) to 30.9°F (-0.6°C). The decrease in temperature is accompanied by a drop in rainfall, roughly between 2.52" (64mm) to 2.8" (71mm) during these months. Autumn also brings a reduction in daylight hours, shrinking from 12.5 hours in September to 9.8 hours by November.
Winter weather in Pittsfield
Winter in
Pittsfield lasts from
December till
February and is characterized by an abrupt drop in temperature, snowfall, and reduced daylight hours. High temperatures dip to a low of 28°F (-2.2°C) in
January while the low temperatures are between 15.4°F (-9.2°C) to 23°F (-5°C). December records the highest rainfall for winter at 3.15" (80mm). Snowfall prevails throughout winter, with February witnessing the highest snowfall of 10.35" (263mm). The city experiences its shortest daylight and sunshine hours, dropping to lows of 9.1 and 4.1 hours respectively. Cold winds gusting at speeds of up to 13.4mph (21.6km/h) also prevail, accentuating the chill of winter.
Weather in January
During this chilly time in
Pittsfield,
Massachusetts, snowfall seems to dominate with a snow depth of about 7.87" (200mm) averaged over the course of the month.
January brings more than a fresh start to the new year; it also brings frigid temperatures lower than those of
December, requiring locals to bundle up.
Weather in January »Weather in February
Weather in March
As
Pittsfield enters
March, snowy conditions recede to a lower average of 7.4" (188mm), indicating the transition into Spring. Subtle changes signal the arrival of warmer temperatures compared to
February, even though ice and frost often stubbornly linger.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
With
April in
Pittsfield, snow becomes a rare sight, with the average snowfall dwindling to 2.44" (62mm). The city experiences a visible leap towards milder temperatures than
March, providing a noticeable comfort for its residents.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May eases the residents of
Pittsfield into warmer weather, a significant deviation from
April's conditions. A welcoming variance occurs, accommodating for the proliferation of verdant landscapes and blossoming flowers. Bright sunshine hours elevate considerably, allowing residents to partake in outdoor activities more frequently.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Pittsfield means early summer with consistently increased temperatures compared to what
May offers. A generally warmer, sometimes humid trend pervades the month; however, this does not deter locals from enjoying the increased daylight hours.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Deep into the summer,
July reveals itself as the hottest period of the year in
Pittsfield, often reaching a peak average of 79.3°F (26.3°C). It’s the zenith of sunny conditions extended over the course of the month, with consistent high temperatures.
Weather in July »Weather in August
The warm tendency in
Pittsfield persists during
August, although slightly dropping from the scorching rhythm set in
July. As
Massachusetts savors the concluding weeks of summer, temperatures remain relatively high, encouraging outdoor activities.
Weather in August »Weather in September
As
September emerges in
Pittsfield, the decline in heat that commenced in
August manifests more perceptibly. With average temperature drops to 70.2°F (21.2°C) from the previous month, the transition into fall becomes evident.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Pittsfield is a quintessential display of fall, embodying a more dramatic temperature drop compared to
September. Outdoor enthusiasts will relish this time of year as landscapes transform into mosaic portraits of orange and red against a crisp blue sky.
Weather in October » Weather in November
The transition from autumn to winter initiates in
November with a substantial decrease in temperature in comparison to
October. The city, enveloped by an array of fresh, invigorating scents, embraces the combined beauty of late fall and early winter.
Weather in November »Weather in December
December in
Pittsfield ushers in a true winter setting with a substantial peak in snowfall to about 6.61" (168mm) compared to
November. The holiday atmosphere engulfs the city in wintry charm, with temperatures and snow levels embodying the essence of a quintessential New England winter.
Weather in December »