Boston in September

In September, Boston averages 23°C (73°F) during the day and 13°C (55°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (85 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are comfortable for sightseeing without being sweltering. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

It's peak hurricane season in Boston during September. Travel is possible but expect storm risk, possible flight disruption, and generally lower travel insurance coverage.

23°C
Avg high
13°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
85 mm
Rainfall

How September compares to the rest of the year in Boston

4th
warmest month of the 12
12th
wettest month of the 12
8%
of yearly rainfall falls in September
12 h 31 min
daylight on the 15th

September is in the middle of the year for warmth in Boston (4th of 12) and one of the driest months (12th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 8°C above the annual average (15°C). September runs 4°C cooler than August (27°C) and cools 6°C in October (17°C).

September sunrise & sunset in Boston

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:24 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
6:55 PM
Day length
12 h 31 min

Times shown for Boston local time (America/New_York), calculated for the 15th of September. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Boston — September

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of September, in Boston's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:24 AM – 6:04 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:04 AM – 7:04 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
6:15 PM – 7:15 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
7:15 PM – 7:55 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Boston in September

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on September's tier (Shoulder) and Boston's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel. ⚠ Peak hazard season — book flexible-change tickets and travel insurance with weather-disruption coverage.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — September in Boston

Shoulder

Boston is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Why this tier: excellent tourism weather peak hazard season (1 active)

Sun & mosquito risk — September in Boston

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
9.2
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●●○○
Moderate
Active mosquito season. DEET 25-30% repellent recommended, especially at dawn/dusk.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Boston — September

19.4°C (67°F)
cool
swimmable but bracing — wetsuit helps for long sessions

Across the year Boston's sea swings from 3.5°C (February) to 19.6°C (August) — September sits at 19.4°C.

Boston in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 2°C / 36°F -6°C / 21°F 88 mm 10 10
February 3°C / 37°F -5°C / 23°F 88 mm 10 9
March 7°C / 45°F -1°C / 30°F 104 mm 11 5
April 14°C / 57°F 4°C / 39°F 92 mm 11 1
May 19°C / 66°F 9°C / 48°F 88 mm 11 0
June 25°C / 77°F 15°C / 59°F 95 mm 11 0
July 28°C / 82°F 18°C / 64°F 84 mm 9 0
August 27°C / 81°F 17°C / 63°F 94 mm 9 0
September 23°C / 73°F 13°C / 55°F 85 mm 9 0
October 17°C / 63°F 7°C / 45°F 96 mm 10 0
November 11°C / 52°F 2°C / 36°F 108 mm 11 1
December 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 27°F 106 mm 12 7

Other cities with similar September weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Boston in September →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Boston in September?

In September, Boston averages a high of 23°C (73°F) and a low of 13°C (55°F) — generally mild and pleasant.

Does it rain a lot in Boston in September?

September sees occasional rain in Boston, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is September a good time to visit Boston?

September is mild and pleasant. It suits travelers who are comfortable with mild and pleasant weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Boston in September?

Pack light layers for warm days and cooler evenings. See the full September packing list for Boston for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Boston on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.