Forestdale has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with plenty of rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 23°, and about 37 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Forestdale at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Forestdale’s climate
Read from where Forestdale sits among Massachusetts’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
What a year in Forestdale feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Forestdale’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
186 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 21 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 24.
About 37" a winter over 10 days with an inch or more, most in January. Snow covers the ground about 29 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 90% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 4 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August, September and October. 7.2 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →37 inches of snow, 50 of rain and melt
March is the wettest month and July the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 124 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 186 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 21 and the first by October 24.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Forestdale and its neighbors
Sandwich has the coldest January nights next door (23°) and Sandwich the hottest July afternoons (81°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Forestdale averaged 1.9° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.3°).
A bigger shift than in 92% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Forestdale compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in Massachusetts.
Forestdale weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 39° | 23° | 4.2" | 12.9" | 12 | 10 | 21° – 37° |
| February | 40° | 24° | 3.7" | 9.2" | 10 | 9 | 21° – 38° |
| March | 46° | 29° | 5.2" | 7.3" | 11 | 5 | 32° – 44° |
| April | 56° | 37° | 4.5" | 1.3" | 11 | 0 | 42° – 51° |
| May | 66° | 47° | 3.6" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 51° – 60° |
| June | 75° | 56° | 3.7" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 62° – 69° |
| July | 81° | 63° | 3.0" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 68° – 76° |
| August | 80° | 62° | 3.7" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 68° – 74° |
| September | 73° | 54° | 4.2" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 61° – 67° |
| October | 63° | 45° | 5.1" | 0 | 11 | 0 | 50° – 59° |
| November | 53° | 36° | 4.5" | 0.2" | 10 | 0 | 40° – 49° |
| December | 44° | 28° | 5.0" | 6.3" | 12 | 5 | 30° – 46° |
| Year | 60° | 42° | 50.3" | 37.2" | 124 | 29 |
Heating and cooling a home in Forestdale
90% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 21° to 38°. August is the most reliable, staying within 7°.
Common questions about Forestdale’s climate
What is the coldest month in Forestdale?
January, with a typical high of 39° and a low of 23°.
What is the hottest month in Forestdale?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 63°. About 4 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Forestdale get?
About 37 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in Forestdale?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 24, and the last spring frost by April 21.
What is the rainiest month in Forestdale?
March, with 5.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 50 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Forestdale.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Forestdale itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at East Wareham, MA (10 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.