Boston (MA) Sunshine Hours by Month

The amount of sunshine is fundamental to comprehending a place's climate. This page shows the total number of hours of direct sunlight per month and the average hours per day in Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America. These averages rely on historical data collected over 30 years, from 1990 to 2020.

Monthly hours of sunshine

If you're visiting Boston, timing is key. In May, you can enjoy up to 301 hours of sunshine, while the shorter days of December provide just 141 hours. The total annual amount of sun is 2665 hours.

Daily hours of sunshine

Seasonal changes in sunshine hours are quite obvious in Boston. While May receives considerable daily sunshine with up to 10.0 hours, December marks the darkest time of the year, where sunshine is scarce with only 4.7 hours of sunlight per day.

Average percent of sunshine

On average the sun shines 65% of the time during the day in July, the highest percentage of any month. November has the lowest percentage at 49%.

Boston enjoys an average of 2665 hours of sunshine annually. Let’s compare this with some popular tourist destinations:

In Barcelona, Spain, there are 2530 hours of sunshine annually and is a city that can be visited year-round.

In contrast, Tromsø , Norway, receives only about 1270 hours of sunshine per year, known for the polar night with no sunlight for weeks during winter.

The climate in San Francisco, USA, includes 3072 hours of sunshine annually, thanks to its mild coastal weather.

In Brisbane, Australia, the annual sunshine averages 2999 hours, making it one of Australia’s sunniest cities.

December, Boston’s wettest month, receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of snow/rainfall and has a maximum daytime temperature of 6°C (43°F). During the driest month September you can expect a temperature of 24°C (75°F).

For more detailed insights into the city’s temperatures, check out our Temperature page. To explore more about precipitation patterns, visit our Boston Precipitation page.