What August feels like in Boston
In Boston, August brings late summer. Afternoons are warm and pleasant, good for long days out. Once the sun goes down the air changes: nights stay mild. Some humidity hangs in the air, noticeable when the sun is strong.
Rain in Boston in August
It is a changeable month: rain comes about one day in 3, with dry spells in between. Wet days average about 8.7 mm (0.3 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Boston's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 9.4 mm). August is Boston's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in August
In mid-August, sunrise is at about 5:51 am and sunset at about 7:48 pm (local time) — 13 h 57 min of daylight. Evenings are drawing in — 1 h 3 min less daylight than mid-July. About 79% of daylight hours are sunny; in short, there are plenty of bright spells.
How August compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, August comes out as the 2nd warmest month in Boston. Compared with July, afternoons are 1.2°C (2.2°F) cooler, with 14 mm less rain. Temperatures keep falling into September. The next month's average high: 23.1°C (73.6°F).
Who August suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — afternoons are too warm to linger outside.
- Beach: less ideal — too many rainy days.
Tips for visiting Boston in August
Versatile Layers
Pack pieces you can take off by noon and put back on at dusk.
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Boston in August?
Afternoons average 27.1°C (80.8°F) and nights about 18.1°C (64.6°F) — warm by most people's standards. It is the 2nd warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Boston in August?
It does: about 10 rainy days bring roughly 87 mm, so plan some indoor options.
What should I wear in Boston in August?
The numbers point to versatile layers, rain protection and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is August or September better for visiting Boston?
On our 12-month climate ranking, September comes out ahead (#1 of 12 vs #2). September is cooler and has fewer rainy days.