North Boston has chilly, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to 17°, and about 168 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in North Boston at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about North Boston’s climate
Read from where North Boston sits among New York’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
168 inches of snow, 43 of rain and melt
October is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 196 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in North Boston feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 166 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 4 and the first by October 17.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
Living with North Boston’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
166 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 4 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 17.
About 168" a winter over 42 days with an inch or more, most in January.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
90° days are rare: July afternoons average 80°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 0.0 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 →North Boston and its neighbors
Boston has the coldest January nights next door (15°) and Hamburg the hottest July afternoons (80°). 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 North Boston averaged 1.5° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in December (+3.0°).
A bigger shift than in 68% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How North Boston compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in New York.
North Boston 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 | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32° | 17° | 3.4" | 50.5" | 23 | 16° – 34° |
| February | 34° | 17° | 2.3" | 37.2" | 20 | 9° – 34° |
| March | 43° | 24° | 2.8" | 18.6" | 16 | 25° – 46° |
| April | 56° | 34° | 3.6" | 8.2" | 16 | 39° – 50° |
| May | 68° | 45° | 3.4" | 0.1" | 14 | 50° – 63° |
| June | 77° | 55° | 3.9" | 0 | 14 | 61° – 70° |
| July | 80° | 59° | 4.1" | 0 | 13 | 65° – 74° |
| August | 79° | 58° | 3.6" | 0 | 13 | 65° – 73° |
| September | 73° | 52° | 4.1" | 0 | 13 | 59° – 67° |
| October | 61° | 41° | 4.2" | 0.4" | 17 | 47° – 57° |
| November | 48° | 32° | 3.7" | 14.0" | 16 | 34° – 46° |
| December | 37° | 24° | 3.8" | 38.6" | 22 | 21° – 41° |
| Year | 57° | 38° | 42.9" | 167.6" | 196 |
Heating and cooling a home in North Boston
95% 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 9° to 34°. September is the most reliable, staying within 8°.
Common questions about North Boston’s climate
What is the coldest month in North Boston?
January, with a typical high of 32° and a low of 17°.
What is the hottest month in North Boston?
July, with a typical high of 80° and a low of 59°.
How much snow does North Boston get?
About 168 inches in a normal winter, most of it in January.
When is the first frost in North Boston?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 17, and the last spring frost by May 4.
What is the rainiest month in North Boston?
October, with 4.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 43 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in North Boston.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for North Boston itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Colden 1w, NY (4 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.