All-time Record Hottest and Coldest Temperatures Ever Recorded in Boston

Temperature records have been kept in Boston, Massachusetts since 1872. These are the all-time hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in Boston since 1872.

Boston is situated on the coastline of the Atlantic Ocean along Massachusetts Bay. Due to its location along the ocean, Boston generally has much more milder temperatures than does most of the rest of the state of Massachusetts, especially the inland areas.

This is born out by the differences between Boston's all-time hottest and coldest temperatures, compared to the the all-time hottest and coldest temperatures in the state of Massachusetts.

The difference between the all-time hottest and all-time coldest temperatures ever recorded in Boston is 122 degrees. The difference between the all-time hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in Massachusetts is 142 degrees; a significant difference of 20 degrees.

All-time Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Boston is 104 Degrees

The all-time hottest temperature ever recorded in Boston, Massachusetts is 104 degrees, which occurred on July 4, 1911. I lived in Boston for a few years in my life, and 100 degree temperature days are pretty rare in the city.

Since 1872, there have been less than two dozen days when the temperature reached 100 degrees or more in Boston. In a great bit of irony, the second hottest temperature ever recorded in Boston is 103 degrees, and it has occurred twice, with both times being on July 22.

The first 103 degree day occurred on July 22, 1926, and the second time was on July 22, 2011.

• Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Massachusetts is 107 Degrees 

The all-time hottest temperature ever recorded in the state of Massachusetts is 107 degrees, which occurred on August 2, 1975, in both New Bedford and Chester. New Bedford is located along the southern coastline in Massachusetts, while Chester is located in western Massachusetts.

The difference between the all-time hottest temperature in Boston (104) and the all-time hottest temperature in Massachusetts (107) is just three degrees. Not that big a difference.

All-time Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in Boston is -18 Degrees

The all-time coldest temperature ever recorded in the city of Boston is -18 degrees, which occurred on February 9, 1934. While below zero temperatures are not overly common in Boston, they are far more common than 100 degree days.

Since 1872, there have been at least 10 days when the temperature was -11 degrees or colder in Boston. The earliest date in any given year when the temperature has been below zero in Boston history is November 30, and the latest date in any given year is March 6.

• Coldest Temperature Ever Recorded in Massachusetts is -35 Degrees 

The all-time coldest temperature ever recorded in the state of Massachusetts is -35 degrees, which occurred in Chester on January 12, 1981. So the town of Chester, located on the eastern edge of the Berkshires, has experienced both the hottest and coldest temperatures in Massachusetts history.

The difference between the all-time coldest temperature in Boston (-18) and the all-time coldest temperature in Massachusetts (-35) is 17 degrees. A big statistical difference, and much larger than the difference between the the all-time hottest temperatures in Boston and the state of Massachusetts.