Unseasonably warm: boston eyes new temperature record

boston experienced its warmest day of the year on Monday, March 9th, with temperatures peaking at 68 degrees Fahrenheit – a stark contrast to the average for this time of year. This marks the first time the city has exceeded 60 degrees since the beginning of 2026.

Record-breaking warmth signals a shifting climate

The warm spell is particularly noteworthy considering that the average first 70-degree day in Boston is April 7th. Meteorologists are forecasting an even hotter Tuesday, with many towns north and south of the Mass Pike expected to reach 70 degrees. A forecast of 72 degrees on Tuesday could break the 1978 record of 71.

The unusual warmth has prompted questions about the duration of winter. While a few more cold snaps are anticipated, this period differs significantly from the typical cold months of January and February. Historically, Boston's last measurable snowfall occurs around March 29th. However, data from 2016 (10.2 inches), 2017 (11.2 inches), and 2018 (17.6 inches) reveal that post-March snowfall is often minimal.

The current warm weather is projected to last only through the next ten days, returning temperatures to average levels. This is not a definitive signal that winter has ended in Boston. The city has seen only 12 instances of no measurable snow after March 10th in nearly 150 years of record-keeping.

The lingering question isn't whether there will be more snow, but rather if Boston will continue to experience such anomalous warmth. The data speaks for itself: a subtle, yet unmistakable shift is underway.