Massachusetts Annual Temperatures and Records

City

Avg High Temp

Avg Low Temp 

Avg Annual Temp

 Avg # days > 90F Avg # days < 32F  Record High Temp Record Low Temp
Blue Hill 57.4 40.1 48.8 7 126 101 / 1949 -21 / 1934
Boston  59.0 43.5 51.2 12 98 103 / 1926 -18 / 1934
Worcester 55.9 38.7 47.3 4 138 99 / 1953 -13 / 1962
  • Massachusetts annual average temperature - 47.86 degrees, 35th warmest state in the U.S.
  • Record Hottest year in Massachusetts - 1912 / Avg temperature 51.06 degrees
  • Record Coldest year in Massachusetts - 1904 / Avg temperature 44.46 degrees
  • Massachusetts average Summer temperature (June, July, August) 68.0 F degrees, 35th warmest U.S. summer state
  • Massachusetts average Winter temperature (December, January, February) 27.4 F degrees, 17th coldest U.S. winter state

Massachusetts Temperature Records 

  • Hottest temperature ever recorded: 107 F, New Bedford / Chester, southeast / southwest Massachusetts, 8/2/1975
  • Coldest temperature ever recorded: -35 F, Chester, southwest Massachusetts, 1/12/1981
  • Hottest location ranked by highest average annual temperature: Boston, eastern Massachusetts, 51.2 F
  • Coldest location ranked by lowest average annual temperature: Barre Falls Dam, central Massachusetts, 44.6 F

  

The average annual temperature in Massachusetts ranges from about 46 degrees Fahrenheit (° F) in the Western Division to 49 in the Central, and to around 50 in the Coastal Division. Averages can vary considerably within these divisions due to elevation, topography and other environmental aspects including urbanization; each can have a significant effect. The highest temperature of record is 107° F on August 2, 1975, at New Bedford (southern Bristol County) and Chester (northern Worchester County). The lowest of record was -35° F on January 12, 1981, again at Chester.

Summer temperatures are delightfully comfortable for the most part, and summer averages are quite uniform all across Massachusetts. Long-term averages for July range from 67 to 70° F in the Western Division and in the islands off the coast, from 70 to 74 elsewhere. Hot days, those with maxima of 90° F or higher, generally average from five to 15 per year. The number of 90° F days varies considerably from place to place, but also from year to year. They can range from only a few days in cool summers to 25 or more in hot summers. Record number of 90 or higher days was experienced during summer of 1983 when 20 - 30 days were observed across the State. The Cape and offshore islands are exceptions, averaging less than one day with a reading of 90 or higher per year. However, on August 2, 1975, even Cape Cod and Nantucket Island reached a record 100° F. Average temperature data may mask marked differences in day to night changes. Islands and the Cape may have only a daily range of but 10 to 15° F, but inland areas may vary 20 to 30 degrees. The diurnal range can reach 40 to 50° F during cool, dry weather in valleys and marshes. Frost may even be a threat in warmer months in these susceptible areas.

Winter average temperatures can vary much more from place to place than in summer. They range in the low 20s for January in the Western Division, in the middle to upper 20s in the Central, and near 30° F in the Coastal Division. The diurnal temperature range in winter, though less than in summer is still greater inland than along the coast. Days with subzero readings are rare on offshore islands. They average only a few per year near the coast, but increase in number of occurrences farther inland from five to 15 annually.

 

Massachusetts precipitation averages and extremes, Boston climate extremes/averages, precipitation and temperature data for all U.S. states  
and Top 10 U.S. climate extremes
Data source: National Climatic Data Center