Neil Hayward and Robert H. Stymeist
Both January and February were warmer than normal with near average rainfall. Snowfall was just 13.7 inches in Boston, compared to the 26.1 inches during the same period in 2018. The new year of birding opened by welcoming birders with clear skies and a high of 37 degrees. The temperature for January averaged 31 degrees in Boston, 2 degrees above normal. The high temperature was 59 degrees on January 24, and the low was 5 degrees recorded on January 21 and 31. The first winter storm of the year hit on the night of January 19 and brought sleet, freezing rain, and snow throughout New England. Some areas north of Boston recorded up to 7 inches of snow and Berkshire County saw over 8 inches. Boston escaped with 1.6 inches of snow.
Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring this year. However, his counterpart in Massachusetts, Ms. G. who resides at Drumlin Farm, had a different take: she saw her own shadow and declared that we were set for six more weeks of winter. The average temperature for February was 34 degrees in Boston, 2 degrees above normal. Rainfall was 3.45 inches, slightly more than normal. Snowfall totaled 11.6 inches with measurable amounts falling on four days. The heaviest snow fell on February 18, Presidents’ Day, coating southern New England with 5–6 inches of snow while Boston accumulated 3.6 inches. The high temperature for the month in Boston was an unseasonal 65 degrees on February 5, and the low was 10 degrees on February.
R. Stymeist