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New Bedford, MA Weather by Month and Climate Averages
Monthly normals · Rain · Snow
Sunshine · Freeze dates · Records · Best time to visit
What is the weather like in New Bedford, MA?
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).
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.
| Season | Months | Avg low | Avg high |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dec–Feb | 24° | 41° |
| Spring | Mar–May | 38° | 57° |
| Summer | Jun–Aug | 60° | 80° |
| Autumn | Sep–Nov | 43° | 64° |
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.
From September 2025 to August 2026 New Bedford got 48.5 in of rain, against a normal of 45.9 in for those months. July 2026 had the most, with 8.3 in.
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. Estimated sunshine is 39% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 38% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 42% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 40% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 41% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 46% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 49% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 59% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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. Estimated sunshine is 43% of daylight hours, derived from ERA5 cloud cover. 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 estimated sunshine of 59% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. April is the cloudiest, at 38%. The annual cloud-cover estimate is 43% of daylight hours; it is not a measurement of sunshine duration. 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
These records cover NEW BEDFORD MUNI AP during 1996–2026. Earlier records or other stations in the city may differ.
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 in the available station history brought 6.3 in of precipitation, 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
| Month | Average low | Average high | Precip | Rain days | Wind | Humidity | Estimated sunshine | Record high | Record low |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22° | 39° | 3.7 in | 11 | 8 mph | 67% | 39% | 67° | -10° |
| February | 23° | 41° | 3.0 in | 10 | 8 mph | 65% | 41% | 72° | -12° |
| March | 29° | 47° | 4.8 in | 11 | 9 mph | 60% | 41% | 78° | -1° |
| April | 37° | 58° | 4.0 in | 13 | 9 mph | 62% | 38% | 92° | 15° |
| May | 47° | 67° | 3.3 in | 13 | 8 mph | 65% | 42% | 95° | 26° |
| June | 56° | 76° | 3.6 in | 12 | 7 mph | 73% | 40% | 101° | 35° |
| July | 62° | 82° | 3.0 in | 11 | 7 mph | 75% | 40% | 102° | 45° |
| August | 61° | 81° | 3.8 in | 13 | 6 mph | 75% | 41% | 98° | 43° |
| September | 53° | 74° | 3.6 in | 12 | 6 mph | 75% | 46% | 94° | 32° |
| October | 43° | 63° | 4.6 in | 13 | 7 mph | 76% | 49% | 86° | 23° |
| November | 34° | 53° | 4.3 in | 11 | 7 mph | 65% | 59% | 79° | 11° |
| December | 27° | 44° | 4.1 in | 12 | 8 mph | 70% | 43% | 70° | 3° |
Station: NEW BEDFORD MUNI AP, 6 km from the city. Temperature normal baseline: 1991–2020, calculated from available NOAA GHCN-Daily observations. Available station history: 1996–2026; record values refer to this station and period, not the entire city’s history. Precipitation includes rain and the water equivalent of frozen precipitation; snowfall depth is shown separately when available. Sources and methods
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?
Within the available 1996–2026 station history, 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 estimated sunshine of 59% of daylight hours from ERA5 cloud cover. 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.