Boston has a classic continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. The city experiences four distinct seasons, dramatic temperature swings, and abundant rainfall spread throughout the year. Sea breezes, variable weather, and significant daylight changes make Boston a dynamic destination for both urban and outdoor travellers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Boston’s climate is shaped by its coastal New England location, resulting in wide seasonal contrasts. Winters (December–February) are cold, windy, and snowy, with average highs of 2–4°C and lows often below freezing. Snowfall is frequent, especially from December to March, and nor’easters can bring significant accumulations. Despite the cold, sunny days are not uncommon, and the city’s festive winter atmosphere draws visitors to indoor attractions and seasonal events.
Spring (March–May) is unpredictable, with temperatures rising from 7°C in March to 19°C by May. Rainfall is frequent, especially in April, and late frosts or even snow can occur. By late spring, days become pleasantly warm, though evenings remain cool. Summers (June–August) are warm to hot and humid, with average highs of 24–28°C and occasional heatwaves pushing temperatures above 33°C. Thunderstorms are common, and sea breezes offer relief from the heat. The city enjoys long daylight hours and up to 9.5 hours of sunshine per day in July. Autumn (September–November) is mild and scenic, with highs dropping from 23°C in September to 11°C in November. Autumn foliage and crisp air make this a favourite season for many visitors, though rainfall increases in October and November. Boston receives about 1,100 mm of precipitation annually, with no true dry season. Winds are brisk year-round, especially along the coast, and fog is common in spring and early summer. The Atlantic Ocean remains cold, peaking at 20°C in August, so beach swimming is bracing even in summer.
| Average climate data for Boston, United States | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 1 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 19 | 23 | 28 | 27 | 22 | 16 | 10 | 4 | 28 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -5 | -5 | -1 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 3 | -1 | -5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 59 | 57 | 75 | 73 | 47 | 53 | 47 | 41 | 32 | 65 | 68 | 74 | 693 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 8 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 10 | 10 | 142 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 70 | 120 | 97 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 16 | 72 | 399 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 30 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 76 | 77 | 72 | 68 | 73 | 74 | 72 | 72 | 76 | 76 | 71 | 75 | 74 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 13 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 11 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 44 | 50 | 50 | 47 | 46 | 41 | 34 | 32 | 38 | 45 | 42 | 49 | 43 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
The best times to visit Boston are late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September–October), when temperatures are mild (15–24°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is vibrant with festivals, outdoor events, and beautiful parks. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, walking tours, and enjoying Boston’s historic neighbourhoods.
The least favourable time to visit is winter (December–February), when cold, snow, and wind are frequent, and daylight hours are shortest. While Boston’s winter charm attracts some, outdoor exploration can be challenging due to icy streets and unpredictable weather. Summer can also be humid and crowded, with occasional storms.
Boston has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and autumn are mild and pleasant, but weather can change quickly, so packing layers is always recommended.
Summer temperatures in Boston typically reach 24–28°C, with occasional heatwaves pushing highs above 33°C. Humidity is high, and thunderstorms are common, especially in July and August.
Yes, Boston receives frequent snowfall from December to March, with annual totals around 100–110 cm. Snowstorms and nor’easters can bring heavy accumulations, especially in February.
Rain falls year-round in Boston, but October and November are often the wettest months. Spring also sees frequent rain, especially in April. There is no true dry season.
Yes, Boston is breezy year-round, with winds strongest in winter and along the coast. Sea breezes in summer help moderate the heat, while winter winds can make temperatures feel colder.
Pack warm, waterproof layers and insulated boots for winter. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a rain jacket. For summer, pack light clothes, sun protection, and an umbrella for sudden showers.
Boston’s beaches are most popular in summer, but the Atlantic remains cool (peaking at 20°C in August). After heavy rain, water quality may temporarily decrease, so check local advisories before swimming.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (27.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (1.3 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 14.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-5.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.6 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (20.1 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (3.3 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 11.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is March (75 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (32.1 mm). Over the whole year there are 693.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (15.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (8 days). Over the whole year there are 141.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (120 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 398.9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (7.6 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 29.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (76.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (67.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 73.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (16 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (9.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (50.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (31.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 43.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 6.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.6.
