Recent Massachusetts Cold Snap Not Close to Record-Setting

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While Massachusetts has experienced a particularly cold and snowy winter recently, the state has not yet broken any all-time cold temperature records. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Massachusetts was -40 degrees in Chester in 1984, while the hottest temperature was 107 degrees in New Bedford in 1975.

Why it matters

Extreme weather events, whether hot or cold, can have significant impacts on communities, infrastructure, and public safety. Understanding the historical temperature records in a state can provide important context around the severity of recent weather patterns.

The details

The recent cold snap in Massachusetts has seen temperatures dip below zero, with wind chills as low as 15 degrees below zero. However, these temperatures have not come close to the all-time record lows. The coldest temperature ever recorded in the state was -40 degrees in Chester in 1984, breaking the previous record of -35 degrees set in Taunton in 1943. Conversely, the hottest temperature on record in Massachusetts was 107 degrees, which was recorded in both New Bedford and Chester on August 2, 1975.

• The coldest temperature ever recorded in Massachusetts was on January 22, 1984 in Chester.
• The previous record low of -35 degrees was set in Taunton in 1943.
• In 1981, Coldbrook tied the record low of -35 degrees.
• The hottest temperature ever recorded in Massachusetts was on August 2, 1975 in New Bedford and Chester.