My gal and I have been wanting to plan a trip to the New England area for years, and now that we have a former co-worker living in the Boston area who wants us to come visit (translation: “cheap lodging”), we are considering making that trip.
Here’s the question: Because of our schedules, the earliest time we’ll be able to make the trip is mid-October. How is the weather that late in the year? Is everything iced over by then? Jacket and sweatshirt weather? Any thoughts would be welcome.
That’s a perfect time for coming to New England if you want to see beautiful fall foliage.
The weather is extremely unpredictable around then, though. I would say that you should plan on layers. It will probably be sweatshirt/jacket weather in the daytime, but it could get warm enough for shirtsleeves, cold enough for winter coats, or it could rain buckets.
We usually don’t get snow before Thanksgiving at the earliest, but it may be starting to get down to freezing at night by mid-October.
October is very cold here, but there can be freaky warm days. Snow is unlikely, although flurries without accumulation have been known to happen. The weather is just weird at that time of year so make sure you bring sweaters & coats & plenty of clothing alternatives just in case. Visit the public gardens, walk down the mall on Commonwealth Avenue, and check out the Charles River. Autumn is beautiful in Boston.
“Very cold” is probably stretching it a bit, unless you come from the tropics. The weather in October is completely unpredictable. We often get some of the nicest weather of the year in October – clear, cool days and frosty nights. Or it could rain for a week straight. In any case, jeans, tee-shirt, and a light jacket should do during the day. Mid-October is just about the best time to visit Boston in the autumn – should be just about peak foliage season. You might want to get out of the city for a day and go for a drive. If you’re doing this Columbus day weekend, forget the drive – the roads will be curb-to-curb leaf peepers.
I agree with the previous 2 responses. A light jacket over a t-shirt will get you through October in the Boston area. (and don’t forget pants…there are still Puritans running around )
Expect a mix of warm and cool days. Most likely, no snow or ice (lately, it seems like this does not happen until late Nov. or early Dec.). Rain in Oct is not uncommon.
Hey, if this is your first trip to New England, do yourself a favor and go further north or west (day trip) to really appreciate the fall foliage! (although I think the foliage will be past-peak in mid-Oct)
Everyone else’s suggestions of layers is the best advice possible.
If it is cold in the morning, set out wearing jeans, a t-shirt, a sweater or long-sleeved button-down, and a windbreaker.
Disrobe and re-robe(enrobe?)layer by layer as needed.
Make sure you have something waterproof, even it it’s just a garbage bag with a neck hole.
I live in Boston, BTW. (first-tier suburb, to be exact) and I love the weather in October. Lovely golden-orange days and frosty nights. The best time of year, IMO.
I lived in Boston before moving to San Jose and IIRC, the reason the foliage is so spectacular there in the fall (besides the wide variety of trees and hilly atmosphere) is the bright, sunny, warm days followed by chilly nights.
I always did well with a light (unlined) leather jacket over a short-sleeved shirt and pants in the fall. You should be warned that it gets pretty windy, particularly in the Back Bay, which deserves wind-tunnel status.
Have a great time and make sure to hit the aquarium and a Duck Tour!
Well, I wouldn’t drive into Boston unless you want a headache. Take the bus, plane or train. The cool thing about Boston is you can use the T (subway) to get most everywhere. Bring a jacket just incase of cold weather/rain. Have fun!
)