Hottest Decembers in Massachusetts since 1895
In 2022, the continental United States experienced its , according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, while 20 states saw one of their in the same month. The year prior, July marked the .
Climate change is driving rising temperatures and more record heat. The has climbed each decade since 1880 by about .14 degrees Fahrenheit, or roughly 2 degrees Fahrenheit total.
compiled a ranking of the hottest Decembers in Massachusetts since 1895 using data from the . Rankings are based on the highest average temperature in each month. For each of the hottest months listed below, we've included the average state temperature, state-wide highs and lows for the month, and the total precipitation.
#9. December 1996 (tie)
- Average temperature: 34.9掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 41.7掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 28掳F
- Total precipitation: 6.96"
#9. December 1982 (tie)
- Average temperature: 34.9掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.8掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 26.1掳F
- Total precipitation: 1.87"
#8. December 1990
- Average temperature: 35掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.1掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 25.9掳F
- Total precipitation: 4.88"
#7. December 1998
- Average temperature: 35.6掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.1掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 26掳F
- Total precipitation: 1.58"
#6. December 2011
- Average temperature: 35.8掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 26.6掳F
- Total precipitation: 4.45"
#5. December 2001
- Average temperature: 35.9掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 44.5掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 27.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.04"
#4. December 2021
- Average temperature: 36掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 43.5掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.4掳F
- Total precipitation: 3.07"
#3. December 2006
- Average temperature: 37掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.5掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 28.4掳F
- Total precipitation: 2.33"
#2. December 2023
- Average temperature: 37.8掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 45.5掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 30.2掳F
- Total precipitation: 6.83"
#1. December 2015
- Average temperature: 41.8掳F
- Monthly high temperature: 49.5掳F
- Monthly low temperature: 34掳F
- Total precipitation: 4.82"
