New Bedford, MA Weather by Month and Climate Averages

New Bedford, MA gets 45.9 in of precipitation a year over about 140 rainy days. July is the warmest month (average high 82°F) and January the coldest (average low 22°F).

New Bedford climate at a glance

Humid continental climate

New Bedford, MA has warm summers and chilly winters. Daytime highs range from about 39°F in January to 82°F in July. March is usually the wettest month. The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 70°F.

How much rain does New Bedford get?

New Bedford gets 45.9 in of precipitation in an average year, spread over about 140 days with measurable rain. That is more rainy days than 91% of the US.

March is the wettest month, with 4.8 in. February is the driest, with 3.0 in. May has the most rainy days, about 13.

The longest dry spell in the last five years lasted 15 days, to October 29, 2024.

See where New Bedford ranks: rainiest cities in the US, US cities with the most rainy days, rainiest cities in Massachusetts.

New Bedford weather by month

New Bedford weather in January

In January, New Bedford averages a high of 39°F and a low of 22°F. It gets 3.7 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. The sun is out about 39% of daylight hours. The January record high is 67°F (2020) and the record low is -10°F (2005).

New Bedford weather in February

In February, New Bedford averages a high of 41°F and a low of 23°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 10 rainy days. The sun is out about 41% of daylight hours. The February record high is 72°F (2023) and the record low is -12°F (2015).

New Bedford weather in March

In March, New Bedford averages a high of 47°F and a low of 29°F. It gets 4.8 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. The sun is out about 41% of daylight hours. The March record high is 78°F (1998) and the record low is -1°F (2015).

New Bedford weather in April

In April, New Bedford averages a high of 58°F and a low of 37°F. It gets 4.0 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. The sun is out about 38% of daylight hours. The April record high is 92°F (2002) and the record low is 15°F (2016).

New Bedford weather in May

In May, New Bedford averages a high of 67°F and a low of 47°F. It gets 3.3 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. The sun is out about 42% of daylight hours. The May record high is 95°F (2010) and the record low is 26°F (2023). May is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

New Bedford weather in June

In June, New Bedford averages a high of 76°F and a low of 56°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. The sun is out about 40% of daylight hours. The June record high is 101°F (2025) and the record low is 35°F (2009). June is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

New Bedford weather in July

In July, New Bedford averages a high of 82°F and a low of 62°F. It gets 3.0 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. The sun is out about 40% of daylight hours. The July record high is 102°F (2011) and the record low is 45°F (2007).

New Bedford weather in August

In August, New Bedford averages a high of 81°F and a low of 61°F. It gets 3.8 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. The sun is out about 41% of daylight hours. The August record high is 98°F (2006) and the record low is 43°F (2007).

New Bedford weather in September

In September, New Bedford averages a high of 74°F and a low of 53°F. It gets 3.6 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. The sun is out about 46% of daylight hours. The September record high is 94°F (2010) and the record low is 32°F (2020). September is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

New Bedford weather in October

In October, New Bedford averages a high of 63°F and a low of 43°F. It gets 4.6 in of precipitation over about 13 rainy days. The sun is out about 49% of daylight hours. The October record high is 86°F (2011) and the record low is 23°F (1997). October is one of the most comfortable months to visit.

New Bedford weather in November

In November, New Bedford averages a high of 53°F and a low of 34°F. It gets 4.3 in of precipitation over about 11 rainy days. The sun is out about 59% of daylight hours. The November record high is 79°F (2022) and the record low is 11°F (2000).

New Bedford weather in December

In December, New Bedford averages a high of 44°F and a low of 27°F. It gets 4.1 in of precipitation over about 12 rainy days. The sun is out about 43% of daylight hours. The December record high is 70°F (1998) and the record low is 3°F (2025).

Sunshine, humidity and wind in New Bedford

November is the sunniest month in New Bedford, with sunshine about 59% of daylight hours. April is the cloudiest, at 38%. Over the year the sun shines about 43% of daylight hours. New Bedford is cloudier than 72% of the US.

Humidity peaks in October at 76% and is lowest in March at 60%.

Wind averages 8 mph over the year, and March is the windiest month at 9 mph.

New Bedford has about 9 days a year above 90°F. New Bedford is cooler than 81% of the US.

Thunderstorms occur on about 12 days a year.

See where New Bedford ranks: sunniest cities in the US, cloudiest cities in the US, hottest cities in the US.

First and last freeze in New Bedford

The first fall freeze in New Bedford typically comes around October 15, and the last spring freeze around April 28. That leaves a frost-free growing season of about 170 days.

New Bedford weather records

The hottest temperature on record at the New Bedford station is 102°F, on July 22, 2011. The coldest is -12°F, on February 21, 2015.

The wettest day on record brought 6.3 in of rain, on July 4, 2014.

39 all-time records have been set at the station since 1996.

The best time to visit New Bedford

The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 70°F.

Winter (December–February) is chilly, with average highs around 41°F and lows near 24°F.

Spring (March–May) is mild, with average highs around 57°F and lows near 38°F.

Summer (June–August) is warm, with average highs around 80°F and lows near 60°F. It can feel humid.

Autumn (September–November) is mild, with average highs around 64°F and lows near 43°F.

Monthly climate

MonthPrecipRain daysWindHumiditySunshineSea tempRecord highRecord low
January3.7 in118 mph67%39%43°67°-10°
February3.0 in108 mph65%41%40°72°-12°
March4.8 in119 mph60%41%41°78°-1°
April4.0 in139 mph62%38%46°92°15°
May3.3 in138 mph65%42%54°95°26°
June3.6 in127 mph73%40%64°101°35°
July3.0 in117 mph75%40%71°102°45°
August3.8 in136 mph75%41%72°98°43°
September3.6 in126 mph75%46%69°94°32°
October4.6 in137 mph76%49%63°86°23°
November4.3 in117 mph65%59%56°79°11°
December4.1 in128 mph70%43%48°70°

From ERA5 reanalysis. Sunshine is estimated from cloud cover.

New Bedford climate questions

How much rain does New Bedford get?

New Bedford gets 45.9 in of precipitation in an average year, over about 140 rainy days.

What is the wettest month in New Bedford?

March is the wettest month in New Bedford, with 4.8 in. February is the driest, with 3.0 in.

How many rainy days does New Bedford have a year?

New Bedford has about 140 days with measurable rain in an average year. May has the most, about 13.

What is the hottest month in New Bedford?

July is the warmest month in New Bedford, with an average high of 82°F.

What is the coldest month in New Bedford?

January is the coldest month in New Bedford, with an average low of 22°F.

What is the record high temperature in New Bedford?

The record high at the New Bedford station is 102°F, set on July 22, 2011. The record low is -12°F, on February 21, 2015.

What is the sunniest month in New Bedford?

November is the sunniest month in New Bedford, with sunshine about 59% of daylight hours. April is the cloudiest.

When is the first frost in New Bedford?

The first fall freeze in New Bedford typically comes around October 15. The last spring freeze is around April 28.

What is the best time to visit New Bedford?

The most comfortable time to visit is typically May to June and September to October, when daytime highs sit near 70°F.

Source: NOAA GHCN-Daily station NEW BEDFORD MUNI AP (6 km away).

GraySky app icon
GraySky on your iPhone
See the forecast and climate for New Bedford, MA.
App Store

Normals from NOAA GHCN-Daily station NEW BEDFORD MUNI AP.