Boston Weather: Be Prepared for Change

Boston weather can be unpredictable from one moment to the next.   

Fortunately, a local saying sums up it up accurately: "If you don't like the weather in Boston, just wait one moment."  

Although we have four distinct seasons, you'll find lots of overlap: occasional warm days during the winter, and in many years, colder days than you might imagine during the first part of June.

Our coastal location can create unpredictable weather patterns and cause rapid changes in temperature and other conditions:  howling nor'easters, blinding blizzards, torrential downpours, an occasional hurricane.  

Even tornadoes - rare in this part of the state - do occur.

In particular, you need to be prepared for the extremes you might occasionally encounter, especially if you're planning to drive here during the winter. 

In particular, you need to be prepared for the extremes you might occasionally encounter, especially if you're planning to drive here during the winter.

More about Boston weather:

Boston Marathon Weather - Training for the Marathon?  What you might encounter based on past history (spoiler: you may be surprised by the variation from one year to the next)

Top photo:  Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill as gray clouds roll in across the blue sky, (c) Boston Discovery Guide

Boston Discovery Guide is a reader-supported publication.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost for you.  Learn more

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What to Expect from Boston Weather this Week

BOSTON WEATHER
BOSTON WEATHER

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Record and Average High, & Low Boston Temperatures and Precipitation Each Month

Take a look below at average monthly Boston temperatures and other weather statistics. 

Pay special attention to record highs and record lows.  Sure, these are the extremes - but in plenty of other years, temperatures can come close to these highs and lows - so when you're packing for your trip, be prepared!

You'll also notice that precipitation is fairly evenly distributed among all the months of the year.   We get between 3 and 4 inches of precipitation every month except for February, which of course has fewer days.  The largest average about of precipitation in a year happens during March.

Keep in mind that in below-freezing weather, a few inches of precipitation translate into a lot more inches of snow.

January Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for January:   72° F (1950)
Record low temperature for January:   -13° F (1882)
Average January high temperature:  36° F
Average January low temperature:  22° F
Average precipitation for January:   3.4 inches

February Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for February:   73° F (2017)
Record low temperature for February:   -18° F (1934)
Average February high temperature:  39° F
Average February low temperature:  25° F
Average precipitation for February:   2.9 inches

March Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for March:   89° F (1998)
Record low temperature for March:   -8° F (1872)
Average March high temperature:  45° F
Average March low temperature:  31° F
Average precipitation for March:   4.3 inches

April Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for April:   94° F (1976)
Record low temperature for April:   11° F (1874)
Average April high temperature:  56° F
Average April low temperature:  41° F
Average precipitation for April:   3.7 inches

May Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for May:   97° F (1880)
Record low temperature for May:   31° F (1882)
Average May high temperature:  66° F
Average May low temperature:  50° F
Average precipitation for May:   3.5 inches

June Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for June:   100° F (1952)
Record low temperature for June:   41° F (1945)
Average June high temperature:  76° F
Average June low temperature:  60° F
Average precipitation for June:   3.7 inches

July Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for July:   104° F (1911)
Record low temperature for July:   50° F (1988)
Average July high temperature:  81° F
Average July low temperature:  65° F
Average precipitation for July:   3.4 inches

August Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for August:   102° F (1979)
Record low temperature for August:   46° F (1940)
Average August high temperature:  80° F
Average August low temperature:  65° F
Average precipitation for August:   3.4 inches

September Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for September:   102° F (1881)
Record low temperature for September:   34° F (1914)
Average September high temperature:  74° F
Average September low temperature:  57° F
Average precipitation for September:   3.4 inches

October Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for October :   90° F (1963)
Record low temperature for October :   25° F (1936)
Average October high temperature:  61° F
Average October low temperature:  47° F
Average precipitation for October :   3.9 inches

November Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for November:   83° F (1950)
Record low temperature for November:   -2° F (1875)
Average November high temperature:  52° F
Average November low temperature:  38° F
Average precipitation for November:   4.0 inches

December Weather in Boston

Record high temperature for December:   76° F (1998)
Record low temperature for December:   -17° F (1933)
Average December high temperature:  41° F
Average December low temperature:  28° F
Average precipitation for December:   3.8 inches

Weather data is courtesy of the National Weather Service, where records for Boston date back to 1872.  Record high and low temperatures are for the period 1872 - present.  Average temperatures and precipitation are for the period 1981-2010.

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What Kind of Weather to Expect Each Month

To give you a more specific idea of what to expect on a month-by-month basis, here are Boston weather overviews with plenty of photos to show you what Boston looks like each month, along with activity and packing suggestions:

• January weather - Very cold, usually clear . . . unless snow is falling . . . or the weather turns warm
• February weather - Lots of snow . . . except when warmer days cause it to melt
• March weather - Cold and blustery . . . but days grow longer and the temperature rises, and skies are a brilliant blue
• April weather - Giddy excitement sweeps the city as spring begins to arrive and trees burst into bloom
• May weather - Activities move outdoor, as flowering plants and breath-taking magnolias put on a show
• June weather - "Perfect" sums it up . . . except for bursts of humidity and rain
• July - Hot! Cruise around the Boston Harbor Islands or head to the beach
• August - Lazy, steamy, hot days . . . markets overflow with ripe produce, and sidewalk tables fill up outside every restaurant
• Boston weather in September - Air is warm and dry, sky is blue . . . a month of sparkling days and pleasant nights
• October - Dry, warm days full of autumn colors . . . although we do occasionally get snow toward the end of the month
• November weather - Gorgeous days . . . but colder, with a nip in the air . . . winter is coming
• December weather - Days turn short and cold; brilliant sunshine competes with snow

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Fun Things to Do & See in Boston

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Need a Boston Hotel or Apartment?

Use this handy map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay.  Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.

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