News Summary
Boston is set to experience above-normal temperatures and increased rainfall throughout May 2025. The month begins with seasonable conditions but will progress to warmer highs across the region. Historical data indicates a warming trend in May and ongoing drought concerns may be alleviated with expected precipitation. The weather shift is tied to neutral Pacific conditions that impact Northeast patterns. This May could bring relief for agricultural needs and water supplies as temperatures rise from the lower 60s to low 70s.
Boston is expected to experience above-normal temperatures and increased rainfall throughout May 2025, according to the latest weather outlook. April concluded with an average temperature approximately 2 degrees higher than usual in Boston, following a winter season characterized by colder-than-average temperatures. Although rainfall was slightly below normal during April, New England as a whole saw warmer-than-average weather during the month.
On May 1, the weather in greater Boston is anticipated to start off comfortably with seasonable conditions influenced by high pressure. Morning temperatures are expected to hover in the 40s, prompting the need for light jackets. By midday, temperatures in Boston are predicted to rise to the low 60s, while areas west of I-95 may see highs in the upper 60s. As the day progresses, clouds will likely increase, and scattered light showers are anticipated overnight. This rain could impact the morning commute for many on May 2.
Throughout May, the climate in Greater Boston is expected to remain cooler under mostly sunny skies, maintaining high temperatures around the low 60s. Southeastern Massachusetts is projected to experience similar conditions, while Central and Western Massachusetts may enjoy warmer highs reaching the upper 60s to low 70s. Conversely, the Cape and Islands are predicted to be cooler, with daytime temperatures peaking in the mid-50s. New Hampshire will start off sunny but is expected to see showers later in the day, while Vermont and Maine will initially show partly sunny skies before cloud cover and rain develop.
The recent shift in weather is linked to a transition towards neutral conditions in the Pacific Ocean, which is influencing the Northeast’s weather patterns. This change is anticipated to result in a mix of seasonable temperatures with an increased possibility of rain throughout the month. Historical data indicates a warming trend in New England over the past 30 years, notably in May. Recent years have recorded an uptick in the number of hotter days during this month, with average high temperatures shifting from about 65 degrees to roughly 68 degrees.
As May progresses, temperatures typically rise from the lower 60s to the low 70s. However, cooler sea-surface temperatures off the New England coast are expected to moderate these high temperatures. Wind patterns, including speed and direction, have been identified as significant factors influencing variations in May’s weather across the region. Past instances of unusually hot weather during May have been documented in 2010, 2015, and 2018, when daily highs often surpassed 80 degrees.
The 2025 weather outlook is viewed as a chance to return to normal temperature patterns, coupled with the likelihood of increased precipitation. This could help mitigate ongoing drought concerns that have been impacting the area recently. April’s warm weather was preceded by a weak La Niña pattern, which influenced the colder winter conditions and contributed to variable weather experiences in New England.
The anticipated weather changes will mark a noticeable shift from the preceding months of March and April, both of which reported higher-than-normal temperatures across the New England region. The warmer April temperatures raised scrutiny over the implications of climate change trends, while the anticipated May conditions could provide some relief from drought stress, bolstering agricultural needs and water supplies.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Globe
- Boston 25 News
- WHDH News
- NBC Boston
- Boston Herald
- Wikipedia: Climate of New England
- Google Search: Boston weather forecast
- Google Scholar: climate change New England
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
- Google News: Boston weather May 2025
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
