Climate Insights for Boston

Government Center/Faneuil Hall, Downtown, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States

Hottest
July
27°C peak81°F peak
Coldest
January
-3°C low27°F low
Wettest
December
122 mm rain4.8 in rain
Best to Visit
June, July, August
Mild temps & low rain

Climate Overview

The climate in Boston is temperate. The average annual temperature is 11°C and approximately 1,151 mm of precipitation falls per year. Boston receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Boston is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -3°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 115cm accumulating over the season.The climate in Boston is temperate. The average annual temperature is 52°F and approximately 45.3 in of precipitation falls per year. Boston receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Boston is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 27°F. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 45in accumulating over the season.

Temperature

-10°0°10°20°30°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 4°Average: 0°Min: -3°FebMax: 5°Average: 1°Min: -2°MarMax: 8°Average: 4°Min: 1°AprMax: 13°Average: 9°Min: 6°MayMax: 19°Average: 14°Min: 11°JunMax: 24°Average: 20°Min: 16°JulMax: 27°Average: 23°Min: 20°AugMax: 26°Average: 22°Min: 19°SepMax: 22°Average: 19°Min: 16°OctMax: 17°Average: 13°Min: 10°NovMax: 11°Average: 7°Min: 4°DecMax: 6°Average: 2°Min: -1°
Max
Average
Min
0°F10°F20°F30°F40°F50°F60°F70°F80°F90°FJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanMax: 39°FAverage: 32°FMin: 27°FFebMax: 41°FAverage: 34°FMin: 28°FMarMax: 47°FAverage: 40°FMin: 34°FAprMax: 55°FAverage: 48°FMin: 42°FMayMax: 65°FAverage: 58°FMin: 51°FJunMax: 75°FAverage: 67°FMin: 61°FJulMax: 81°FAverage: 74°FMin: 67°FAugMax: 79°FAverage: 72°FMin: 66°FSepMax: 72°FAverage: 66°FMin: 60°FOctMax: 63°FAverage: 56°FMin: 50°FNovMax: 52°FAverage: 45°FMin: 38°FDecMax: 42°FAverage: 36°FMin: 30°F
Max
Average
Min

Temperatures in Boston vary considerably across the year, with a 30°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 23°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -3°C and the daily average is 0°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.Temperatures in Boston vary considerably across the year, with a 54°F difference between the coldest and warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 81°F and the mean temperature sits around 74°F. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to 27°F and the daily average is 32°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 13°F between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 11°F shift in average temperatures.

Precipitation

0mm25mm50mm75mm100mm125mm150mmJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 105mmSnow: 26mmFebPrecipitation: 91mmSnow: 35mmMarPrecipitation: 110mmSnow: 25mmAprPrecipitation: 111mmSnow: 8mmMayPrecipitation: 88mmSnow: 0mmJunPrecipitation: 73mmSnow: 0mmJulPrecipitation: 96mmSnow: 0mmAugPrecipitation: 71mmSnow: 0mmSepPrecipitation: 92mmSnow: 0mmOctPrecipitation: 114mmSnow: 1mmNovPrecipitation: 79mmSnow: 2mmDecPrecipitation: 122mmSnow: 19mm
Precipitation
Snow
0in2in4in6in8in10in12in14inJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanPrecipitation: 4.1inSnow (in): 10inFebPrecipitation: 3.6inSnow (in): 14inMarPrecipitation: 4.3inSnow (in): 10inAprPrecipitation: 4.4inSnow (in): 3inMayPrecipitation: 3.5inSnow (in): 0inJunPrecipitation: 2.9inSnow (in): 0inJulPrecipitation: 3.8inSnow (in): 0inAugPrecipitation: 2.8inSnow (in): 0inSepPrecipitation: 3.6inSnow (in): 0inOctPrecipitation: 4.5inSnow (in): 0inNovPrecipitation: 3.1inSnow (in): 1inDecPrecipitation: 4.8inSnow (in): 7in
Precipitation
Snow (in)

Boston is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1,151 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 96 mm per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 122 mm of rainfall. October and April also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 71 mm. That's 50 mm less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 115cm accumulating over the season. February typically sees the most snow at around 35cm.Boston is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 45.3 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 3.8 in per month. The wettest month is December, averaging 4.8 in of rainfall. October and April also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 2.8 in. That's 2 in less than December, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 45in accumulating over the season. February typically sees the most snow at around 14in.

Wind

0km/h5km/h10km/h15km/h20km/hJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 17km/hFebWind Speed: 16km/hMarWind Speed: 17km/hAprWind Speed: 15km/hMayWind Speed: 14km/hJunWind Speed: 12km/hJulWind Speed: 12km/hAugWind Speed: 11km/hSepWind Speed: 13km/hOctWind Speed: 14km/hNovWind Speed: 16km/hDecWind Speed: 16km/h
Wind Speed
0mph5mph10mph15mphJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanWind Speed: 11mphFebWind Speed: 10mphMarWind Speed: 10mphAprWind Speed: 9mphMayWind Speed: 8mphJunWind Speed: 8mphJulWind Speed: 7mphAugWind Speed: 7mphSepWind Speed: 8mphOctWind Speed: 9mphNovWind Speed: 10mphDecWind Speed: 10mph
Wind Speed

Boston is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 14km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 17km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 11km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 6km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 16km/h in winter, 15km/h in spring, 12km/h in summer, 14km/h in autumn.Boston is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 9mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 11mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 7mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 4mph gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 10mph in winter, 9mph in spring, 7mph in summer, 9mph in autumn.

Best Time to Visit

Jan0°32°F
Feb1°34°F
Mar4°40°F
Apr9°48°F
May14°58°F
Jun20°67°F
Jul23°74°F
Aug22°72°F
Sep19°66°F
Oct13°56°F
Nov7°45°F
Dec2°36°F

The best time to visit Boston is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 21°C with modest rainfall averaging 83 mm per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -3°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.The best time to visit Boston is during June, July, August and September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 70°F with modest rainfall averaging 3.3 in per month. By contrast, January can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to 27°F. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

Monthly Climate Data

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Boston based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Boston based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.

Month
Min Temperature
Max Temperature
Wind Speed
Precipitation
Snow
Jan
-3 °C27 °F
4 °C39 °F
17 km/h11 mph
105 mm4.1 in
26 cm10 in
Feb
-2 °C28 °F
5 °C41 °F
16 km/h10 mph
91 mm3.6 in
35 cm14 in
Mar
1 °C34 °F
8 °C47 °F
17 km/h10 mph
110 mm4.3 in
25 cm10 in
Apr
6 °C42 °F
13 °C55 °F
15 km/h9 mph
111 mm4.4 in
8 cm3 in
May
11 °C51 °F
19 °C65 °F
14 km/h8 mph
88 mm3.5 in
0 cm0 in
Jun
16 °C61 °F
24 °C75 °F
12 km/h8 mph
73 mm2.9 in
0 cm0 in
Jul
20 °C67 °F
27 °C81 °F
12 km/h7 mph
96 mm3.8 in
0 cm0 in
Aug
19 °C66 °F
26 °C79 °F
11 km/h7 mph
71 mm2.8 in
0 cm0 in
Sep
16 °C60 °F
22 °C72 °F
13 km/h8 mph
92 mm3.6 in
0 cm0 in
OctCurrent
10 °C50 °F
17 °C63 °F
14 km/h9 mph
114 mm4.5 in
1 cm0 in
Nov
4 °C38 °F
11 °C52 °F
16 km/h10 mph
79 mm3.1 in
2 cm1 in
Dec
-1 °C30 °F
6 °C42 °F
16 km/h10 mph
122 mm4.8 in
19 cm7 in