Climate Comfort Score
52/100
Moderate
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
Rochester, MA Climate
Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →
30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).
Rochester, Massachusetts has an average annual temperature of 51°F and a climate comfort score of 52/100 (Moderate). Annual precipitation totals 53.4", including 30.8" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).
Avg Temperature
51°F (10°C)
Avg High
60°F
Avg Low
41°F
Annual Precip
53.4"
Annual Snow
30.8"
Comfort Score
52/100
Moderate
Avg Annual Temperature
51°F
30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)
Annual Precipitation
53.4"
Plus 30.8" of snow
Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Rochester) 52.0%
National median (≈55)
PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Moderate for the Rochester area.
Warming context for Rochester
MethodologyHow the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Rochester captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.
- United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
- Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
- Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Monthly Temperatures
Average daily high and low temperatures by month
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean | Precip | Snow | Freeze Days | 90°F+ Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 20°F (-7°C) | 29°F (-2°C) | 4.5" | 10.7" | 26.3 | 0.0 |
| February | 40°F (4°C) | 22°F (-6°C) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.8" | 9.0" | 23.9 | 0.0 |
| March | 46°F (8°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 5.7" | 4.5" | 20.8 | 0.0 |
| April | 57°F (14°C) | 37°F (3°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.9" | 0.6" | 6.2 | 0.1 |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.6" | 0.0" | 0.2 | 0.7 |
| June | 77°F (25°C) | 56°F (13°C) | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 63°F (17°C) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 4.5 |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 61°F (16°C) | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 2.3 |
| September | 74°F (23°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 0.3 |
| October | 63°F (17°C) | 44°F (7°C) | 53°F (12°C) | 5.0" | 0.0" | 2.0 | 0.0 |
| November | 52°F (11°C) | 35°F (2°C) | 44°F (6°C) | 4.7" | 0.1" | 12.3 | 0.0 |
| December | 43°F (6°C) | 26°F (-3°C) | 35°F (2°C) | 5.3" | 5.9" | 23.6 | 0.0 |
Monthly Precipitation
Average monthly rainfall and snowfall
January 4.5"
Snow: 10.7"
11.4 days with precipitation
February 3.8"
Snow: 9.0"
9.4 days with precipitation
March 5.7"
Snow: 4.5"
10.8 days with precipitation
April 4.9"
Snow: 0.6"
11.4 days with precipitation
May 3.6"
11.3 days with precipitation
June 4.1"
10.0 days with precipitation
July 3.4"
9.1 days with precipitation
August 4.0"
8.8 days with precipitation
September 4.4"
8.6 days with precipitation
October 5.0"
10.3 days with precipitation
November 4.7"
Snow: 0.1"
9.8 days with precipitation
December 5.3"
Snow: 5.9"
11.7 days with precipitation
Frost Dates & Growing Season
First Fall Freeze
October 21
50% probability date
Last Spring Freeze
April 23
50% probability date
Heating & Cooling Degree Days
Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling
Heating Degree Days
5,870
Higher = more heating needed
Cooling Degree Days
630
Higher = more cooling needed
Warmest Month
July
Coldest Month
January
Related Data
PlainEnviro
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PlainAirData
EPA air quality data — AQI readings, pollutant levels, and air quality trends
Climate Guides
Climate Insight: Rochester, MA
The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Rochester, Massachusetts as a location with an annual average temperature of 51°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 60°F to a mean daily low of 41°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USC00196938, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.
Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Rochester receives roughly 53.4 inches of precipitation each year, with 30.8 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near April 23 and the first fall freeze near October 21. For energy use, 5,870 heating degree days and 630 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.
On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Rochester scores 52/100 (Moderate), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average temperature in Rochester, MA? ▼
The average annual temperature in Rochester, Massachusetts is 51°F. The warmest month averages 82°F (28°C) and the coldest averages 20°F (-7°C).
How much rain does Rochester get? ▼
Rochester receives 53.4 inches of precipitation annually, including 30.8 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Rochester? ▼
Rochester has a climate comfort score of 52/100 (Moderate). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Rochester? ▼
Growing season data is not available for Rochester.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Rochester? ▼
Rochester has 5,870 heating degree days and 630 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Rochester climate data come from? ▼
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from weather station USC00196938. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.
Data Sources
Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USC00196938. For informational purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial
