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Exterior Painting Weather in Massachusetts: Best Months by City

Exterior Painting season in Massachusetts, city by city: peak months, season boundaries, and annual workable-day counts from NOAA 1991–2020 normals. Boston leads with 139 workable days a year; Springfield runs the shortest at 100.

Across Massachusetts's 14 listed cities, annual workable days for exterior painting run from 100 (Springfield) up to 139 (Boston). Every number comes from NOAA 1991–2020 normals scored against the same label ruleset; every city name links to its live 10-day check.

Statewide, August is the strongest month — it tops or ties the table in most listed cities. The live strips on each city page decide the week; this table decides the month. Scoring rules: methodology; the national playbook: the exterior painting guide.

Cities in Massachusetts

Peak months and season boundaries from NOAA 1991–2020 normals; season = months with at least 8 workable days.
CityPeak monthsSeasonWorkable days/yr
Boston Aug, Jul, Sep April–October 139
Worcester Aug, Sep, Jul May–October 115
Springfield Jul, Aug, Sep May–October 100
New Bedford Jul, Aug, Jun May–October 108
Cambridge Aug, Jul, Sep April–October 139
Lowell Aug, Sep, Jul May–October 109
Leominster Aug, Jul, Sep May–October 102
Brockton Aug, Jul, Sep May–October 122
Quincy Aug, Sep, Jul May–October 121
Lynn Aug, Jul, Sep May–October 123
Fall River Jul, Aug, Jun May–October 108
Newton Aug, Jul, Sep May–October 109
Lawrence Aug, Jul, Sep May–October 116
Somerville Aug, Jul, Sep April–October 139

The rules behind these numbers

Typical label thresholds for exterior painting — the single ruleset used by every check on this page.
CheckThresholdWhy it matters
Air temperature 50–90°F (low-temp formulas from 35°F) Standard latex wants 50°F+. Some low-temperature formulas are rated down to 35°F.
Overnight low ≥35°F during the first 24 h (≥40°F preferred) Paint keeps curing overnight; a low under 40°F stalls standard latex.
Dry before ≤0.05" rain in the prior 12 h; watch back to 24 h The surface must be dry to the touch and out of a recent soak.
Dry after <0.05" rain for 24 h after Rain inside the first 24 hours can streak or wash fresh paint.
Evening dew-point spread ≥5°F from 6–11 pm Surface should stay at least 5°F above the dew point; dew flat-spots fresh paint.
Daytime humidity ≤80% High humidity extends recoat and cure times.
Wind ≤15 mph (brush only up to 20 mph) Wind dries the leading edge too fast and carries overspray.

Always follow your product label — formulas vary. The table above is the typical range across major manufacturers, not a promise about your can.

Other tasks in Massachusetts

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