Massachusetts Climate

Massachusetts State has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Summers in Massachusetts are generally warm and humid, with temperatures averaging in the mid to upper 70s F (23-26 C). Winters can be very cold, particularly in the northern parts of the state, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Snowfall occurs frequently throughout winter and sometimes even into early spring. Spring and autumn provide pleasant weather that is ideal for outdoor activities.

Massachusetts, Massachusetts gets 49 inches of rain, on average, per year. The US average is 38 inches of rain per year.

Massachusetts averages 47 inches of snow per year. The US average is 28 inches of snow per year.

On average, there are 197 sunny days per year in Massachusetts. The US average is 205 sunny days.

Massachusetts gets some kind of precipitation, on average, 125 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that falls to the ground. In order for precipitation to be counted you have to get at least .01 inches on the ground to measure.

Weather Highlights

Summer High: the July high is around 82 degrees
Winter Low: the January low is 16
Rain: averages 49 inches of rain a year
Snow: averages 47 inches of snow a year

Bestplaces Comfort Index

Massachusetts's annual BestPlaces Comfort Index of 6.8 (10=best) indicates it is less comfortable than most states in the United States.

9.1 Summer - 4.7 Winter

August, July and June are the most pleasant months in the state of Massachusetts, while January and February are the least comfortable months.

Climate	Massachusetts, Massachusetts	United States
	48.5 in.	38.1 in.
	47.0 in.	27.8 in.
	124.9 days	106.2 days
	197 days	205 days
	81.5°	85.8°
	16.4°	21.7°
	6.8	7
	3.4	4.3
	373 ft.	2443 ft.

Climate

YOU SHOULD KNOW

Many people confuse weather and climate but they are different. Weather is the conditions of the atmosphere over a short period of time, and climate is how the atmosphere is over long periods of time.

Weather is how the atmosphere is behaving and its effects upon life and human activities. Weather can change from minute-to-minute. Most people think of weather in terms of temperature, humidity, precipitation, cloudiness, brightness, visibility, wind, and atmospheric pressure.

Climate is the description of the long-term pattern of weather in a place. Climate can mean the average weather for a particular region and time period taken over 30 years. Climate is the average of weather over time.

July is the hottest month for Massachusetts with an average high temperature of 81.5°, which ranks it as cooler than most states. In Massachusetts, there are 4 comfortable months with high temperatures in the range of 70-85°. The most pleasant months of the year for Massachusetts are June, August and July.

Massachusetts has 7.2 days annually when the high temperature is over 90°, which is cooler than most states in the U.S.

January has the coldest nighttime temperatures for Massachusetts with an average of 16.4°. This is colder than most of the U.S. states.

Massachusetts has 134.6 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is colder than most states in the U.S.

Massachusetts averages 4.6 days annually when the nighttime low temperature falls below freezing, which is colder than most states in the U.S.

The humidity is usually comfortable in the state of Massachusetts but some summer days can be muggy. July is the most humid month, though it is still relatively mild compared to many other places. The most humid months are July, August and June.

March is the wettest month in Massachusetts with 4.5 inches of rain, and the driest month is February with 3.4 inches. The wettest season is Summer with 26% of yearly precipitation and 23% occurs in Spring, which is the driest season. Massachusetts's average annual rainfall of 48.5 inches indicates that it is wetter than most states in the United States.

May is the rainiest month in Massachusetts with 12.0 days of rain, and September is the driest month with only 8.9 rainy days. Massachusetts's annual average of 124.9 days with measurable rain is rainier than most states in the United States. The rainiest season is Summer when it rains 27% of the time and the driest is Winter with only a 23% chance of a rainy day.

Massachusetts's average annual snowfall of 47.0 inches indicates that it is snowier than most states in the United States. January is the snowiest month in Massachusetts with 13.7 inches of snow, and 6 months of the year have significant snowfall.

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Chris · Milford, MA

Secondary education

Over 9 years ago

Massachusetts offers exceptional college options from its highly regarded state system to a significant number of private colleges. Massachusetts is home to some More

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Steven · Hanover, MA

Massachusetts

Over 9 years ago

Massachusetts, especially the Boston area, is a great place to live. Well over 50 colleges and universities within a 100 mile radius so the entire region is always More

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christine · Avon, MA

florida

Over 9 years ago

considering moving to fla naplles cape coral more interested in the gulf side would like to spend 225 pros and cons it is so cold here almost may and I have the heat on More

Massachusetts Climate

Weather Highlights

Bestplaces Comfort Index

9.1 Summer - 4.7 Winter

Climate

YOU SHOULD KNOW

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