Boston, MA – Massachusetts may see a mix of rain and snow during the busy Thanksgiving travel window, as long-range federal outlooks show a near-normal precipitation signal, effectively giving the state a 50–50 chance for wintry weather between November 23 and November 29.
According to the Climate Prediction Center’s 8–14 Day Outlook, Massachusetts sits between two competing patterns: colder air pressing out of the interior Northeast and milder coastal influence from the Atlantic. Which one wins out will determine whether Thanksgiving travelers face wet roads, slushy mix, or a brief shot of early-season snow.
Western Massachusetts—including Pittsfield, the Berkshires, and hill towns along Route 2—holds the strongest chance for accumulating wet snow. Elevation often tilts late-November systems toward wintry outcomes in these areas, especially during overnight hours when temperatures dip closer to freezing.
Central Massachusetts—including Worcester, Fitchburg, Leominster, and the higher terrain of the Worcester Hills—sits squarely in the 50–50 zone. Depending on storm timing, this region could see cold rain, a rain–snow mix, or periods of wet snow if colder air pools just to the west.
Farther east, the Boston metro, North Shore, MetroWest, and South Shore lean warmer. Boston, Quincy, Lynn, and coastal Essex and Suffolk counties are most likely to experience cold rain unless a storm hugs the coastline more closely than expected. Still, brief wet flakes cannot be ruled out northwest of the city if colder inland air pushes eastward.
Cape Cod and the Islands—including Barnstable, Hyannis, Falmouth, and Nantucket—remain firmly on the mild side of the pattern. Rain is the dominant outcome there, though gusty winds and low visibility could still impact travel over the holiday period.
Thanksgiving week is one of Massachusetts’ busiest for road and air travel, with heavy volume expected along I-90, I-93, and Route 128. Even modest precipitation may slow traffic, particularly across higher terrain.
