Chilly Weather Settles Over Northeastern United States

Northeastern United States, December 21, 2025

As the weekend winds down, a cold front has brought brisk temperatures and cloudy skies to the northeastern U.S. Cities like Boston, Manchester, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Buffalo are experiencing significant drops in felt temperatures due to wind and humidity. While Boston registers 39°F feeling like 33°F, Buffalo faces harsher conditions at 37°F, feeling like 27°F. The evolving weather patterns underscore the varied yet interconnected experiences of winter across the region, providing a stark reminder of the season’s lingering influence on daily life.

Boston

As the weekend approaches its close, a notable shift in atmospheric conditions has settled over the northeastern United States, bringing with it a palpable chill that touches daily life. In Boston, Massachusetts, the current hours are marked by mostly cloudy skies, with the thermometer registering 39°F. However, the air carries a distinct bite, making the ambient temperature feel more acutely like 33°F to those navigating the city’s thoroughfares and byways. This cooler embrace follows a brief interlude of clearer skies earlier in the day, where at 1 PM, the city experienced sunny conditions at 43°F, feeling like 35°F, before transitioning to mostly sunny at 2 PM with 42°F, feeling like 33°F, and then 3 PM seeing 40°F, feeling like 31°F. Such daily fluctuations in temperature and sky conditions underscore the transient nature of winter’s grip, as observed across the region in the immediate past hours, influencing everything from individual comfort to the rhythm of urban movement.

Regional Weather Overview

Beyond the immediate environs of Boston, similar atmospheric trends are observed, painting a varied yet consistently cool tableau across several key urban centers. The wind, a subtle architect of perceived temperature, plays its part in these regional nuances, affecting how individuals experience the prevailing chill even at similar reported temperatures. Such distinctions remind us that while the mercury offers a numerical value, the true experience of weather is often shaped by unseen forces and individual sensibility.

Manchester, New Hampshire

To the north, Manchester, New Hampshire, presents a picture of partly cloudy skies. Residents are experiencing temperatures around 40°F, yet the subtle influence of the air accentuates the cold, leading to a felt temperature of approximately 33°F. The chance of precipitation remains notably low, at about 1 percent, offering a moment of dry respite amidst the cooler air. Earlier in the day, around 1 PM, Manchester also saw partly cloudy conditions with 40°F, feeling like 32°F, with a slightly increased chance of precipitation at 15% by 2 PM, suggesting a gradual thickening of the air. These patterns underscore the dynamic nature of local weather, even within a single day.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Further south, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the skies are largely cloaked in cloud cover, reflecting a broader pattern of atmospheric moisture across the region. The city records a temperature of 37°F (3°C), accompanied by a humidity level of 79 percent. This higher humidity in cooler temperatures can often impart a dampness to the air, making the cold more penetrating for those outdoors and adding a distinct character to the urban environment.

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

In contrast, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offers a clearer perspective under clear skies. The temperature here registers at 38°F, with a palpable sense of 33°F, indicative of a brisk but generally unobstructed day. A gentle breeze from the southwest at 5 mph and a humidity of 61 percent contribute to these conditions, presenting a clearer, albeit still cool, atmosphere for its inhabitants. Hourly observations noted mostly sunny conditions throughout the morning and early afternoon, with temperatures rising slightly from 38° at 11 AM to 39° by 1 PM, before settling into the current clear state.

Buffalo, New York

To the west, Buffalo, New York, stands as an outlier, experiencing noticeably harsher conditions. The city is partly cloudy, with the mercury holding at 37°F, but a strong westerly wind, gusting at 19 mph, dramatically lowers the felt temperature to a stark 27°F. The humidity is recorded at 65 percent, underscoring the raw intensity of the cold air mass that sweeps across the Great Lakes region. These conditions highlight the varied impacts of winter weather across the diverse geographical expanse of the northeastern states, reminding us of the distinct experiences of cold from one community to the next and the powerful role of wind in shaping perceived temperature.

As these conditions persist through the close of the week and into the immediate hours ahead, the collective experience across these cities, while individually unique in their specifics, shares a common thread of winter’s steady presence. From the partly clouded skies of Manchester to the biting winds of Buffalo, and the mixed conditions in between, the air itself becomes a quiet testament to the enduring rhythms of the season, inviting a mindful approach to the day’s unfolding necessities and the simple human warmth found in shelter and connection. These atmospheric shifts, though commonplace, carry a quiet significance for the daily routines and personal comfort of hundreds of thousands across the region, a subtle reminder of the natural world’s unceasing influence and the wisdom required to adapt to its ceaseless turning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the current weather conditions in Boston, Massachusetts?

In Boston, Massachusetts, current conditions are mostly cloudy with a temperature of 39°F, feeling like 33°F.

What is the current temperature and felt temperature in Manchester, New Hampshire?

In Manchester, New Hampshire, the temperature is 40°F, feeling like 33°F.

What are the current weather conditions and humidity in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is experiencing mostly cloudy conditions with a temperature of 37°F (3°C) and 79 percent humidity.

How are the current weather conditions in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania?

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offers a clearer perspective under clear skies with a temperature of 38°F, feeling like 33°F, a gentle breeze from the southwest at 5 mph, and a humidity of 61 percent.

What is the current temperature, felt temperature, and wind in Buffalo, New York?

Buffalo, New York, is partly cloudy with a temperature of 37°F, feeling like 27°F, and a strong westerly wind gusting at 19 mph.

Key Regional Weather Conditions

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Boston and the Northeastern Seaboard Brace Against Fierce Weather
Boston Hosts Governors and Canadian Leaders to Discuss Tariff Impacts

Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON 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.