Snow in Boston: Average Annual Amount and Biggest Blizzards

Yes, it snows in Boston, Massachusetts. Are you surprised? Probably not. Boston is known for its cold and snowy winters, often turning the city into a winter wonderland for days at a time. Keep reading to learn more about the snow in Boston, from the average annual amount to the biggest blizzards in the city’s history.

Average Annual Amount of Snow in Boston

Contrary to popular belief, Boston isn’t covered in snow for most of the year. But it’s normal to see snow in the air and on the ground from December to March. In fact, the city sees an average of 49 inches of snow per year. However, some years are milder, while others are much snowier depending on the weather systems that move along the East Coast. Sometimes, Boston sees its first snowfall as early as late October, with the last snowfall occurring in late April.   

2024 Winter in Boston (So Far)

January is the coldest and snowiest month in Boston. Staying true to the pattern, many Massachusetts cities endured their first official winter storm of 2024. A weather storm warning followed by heavy snow occurred in the second week of January, with Boston seeing two inches of snow. However, Boston’s humble two inches don’t compare to Haverhill and Groveland, which saw up to 17 inches.   

Winter will continue until the Spring Equinox on March 19, then resume for the 2024 to 2025 season on December 21, 2024. Only time will tell how much snow will fall in Boston this year. 

Biggest Blizzards to Hit Boston

Boston is no stranger to inclement winter weather. Whether it’s a snowstorm, a blizzard, or snow flurries, it wouldn’t be winter without at least a few inches of snow in Boston. 

What sets snowstorms and blizzards apart are winds equal to or greater than 35 miles per hour, lasting three hours or longer. Blizzards also generate greater amounts of snowfall faster, causing visibility issues and a quick accumulation of snow on the ground. 

On the other hand, snowstorms are commonly used as a catch-all for any winter storms involving precipitation. Although snowstorms are considered less severe than blizzards, they can still be dangerous. 

Five of the biggest blizzards to hit Boston are highlighted below. 

Presidents’ Day Storm – 27.6 Inches

Also known as “Snowmageddon,” the 2003 Presidents Day storm is Boston’s biggest blizzard to date. The record-shattering blizzard raged from February 17 to February 18. Wind gusts reached 40 miles per hour. By the end of it, a whopping 27.6 inches of snow was recorded at Logan Airport once the storm ended. High arctic pressure caused the system to sweep through parts of Canada and much of the East Coast, lasting from February 14 to February 19.  

The Blizzard of ‘78 – 27.1 Inches

One of the most memorable blizzards in Massachusetts history is the Blizzard of ’78. The blizzard stranded cars on the road, displaced residents, and caused 29 deaths in the state alone. From February 6 to February 7, 1978, 27.1 inches of snow fell in just over 32 hours. Most of the state was buried under 15-foot snow drifts, with wind gusts in Boston reaching as high as 83 miles per hour. Drivers were trapped in their cars along the eight-mile stretch of Route 128 until the storm was over. 

April Fool’s Storm – 25.4 Inches

Although dubbed the April Fool’s Storm, the blizzard from March 31 to April 1, 1997 was no joke. Wet and heavy snow fell from the sky 3 inches at a time, reaching 25.4 inches of snowfall. Residents were in disbelief after enjoying temperatures in the 60s the day before. The nor’easter storm whipped through the city with winds reaching 70 miles per hour. The USS Constitution was destroyed after four years of restoration. Thousands of residents across Boston lost power for nearly a day.    

Winter Storm Nemo – 24.9 Inches

Another February winter storm brought a record-breaking amount of snow to Boston. From February 8 to February 9, 2013, Winter Storm Nemo accumulated 24.9 inches of snow, with 4 to 5 inches falling within an hour. A state-wide travel ban was issued for the first time since the Blizzard of ’78. As a result, the MBTA temporarily halted their services for 48 hours. If you think the snow in Boston was bad enough, surrounding cities had as much as 34.5 inches.  

The Blizzard of 2015 – 24.4 Inches

The year was off to a snowy start when 24.4 inches of snow fell from January 26 to January 27, 2015. But what makes this blizzard so memorable is the 110.3 inches of snow that fell in Boston throughout the winter season. As of today, that’s still the highest record for one season. That winter, Boston saw four storms that accumulated at least 1 foot of snow each. What’s more, snow collected in a 75-foot “snow farm” didn’t melt until July. 

Summary of the Yearly Amount of Snow in Boston

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