Variability in Massachusetts Snowfall: The Frequency and Intensity of Snow Storms and the Duration of the Winter Season

Global climate change has been linked to changing weather patterns around the world, and Massachusetts is no exception: Boston experienced record breaking snowfall in the winter of 2014-2015 and record warm temperatures in the winter of the following year. This incredible variability highlights the demand to understand the changes in MA weather to date, in order to better understand potential changes to come. An analysis using daily snowfall and temperature records from 12 stations across MA was conducted to explain how the frequency and intensity of Massachusetts snow storms have changed from 1945 to present day, and the ways in which certain teleconnection patterns may influence snowfall and temperature anomalies. Special attention will be given to extreme snow events, as well as the changes to the length of the overall winter season.