(Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

We’re blessed in the Northeast to have such a wide variety of weather. So what’s the best month in New England?

 

I almost wanted to end that last sentence with “weather-wise,” but that’s a given, right? Here in New England, our mood, outlook, and activities are all dictated by the weather. And, as we like to say in this neck of the woods: “if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute.” A cliche, yes. But the truth behind it comes back to that wide range of conditions that permeate our region.

 

I’m typing this in early October, and it’s this time of year that typically draws the most people out-of-doors. And those people tend to be in the best possible mood. The heat of the summer has dissipated, for the most part. And the cold of the winter has yet to set in. Trees are ablaze with fall colors. The air–whether cool in the mornings and evenings or warm in midday–is crisp.

 

What’s the Best Month in New England?

All of that to say, I’m putting my money on October as the biggest vote-getter in this week’s 12-Inch Poll. Full disclosure: I’ve actually done another version of this poll before. The Worst Month, last time I checked, was January, with 30% of the vote. October was one of three months to not get any votes at all in that one.

 

Much like with that poll, I’ve shared the pros and cons of experiencing the 12 months of the year here in New England. I event went so far as to share an appropriate song for each month. So scroll through, decide if you agree or disagree with my takes, then cast your vote for the month of the year you look forward to the most here in New England.

  • January

    Pros: Winter sports, New Year’s Day

    Cons: Coldest month (usually), long as hell

  • February

    Pros: February vacation (for some of us), convenience of having the shortest month during the cold of winter

    Cons: Valentine’s Day (for some of us), still winter

  • March

    Pros: Spring break (for some of us), St. Patrick’s Day is always a blast in Boston

    Cons: Unpredictability (starts in winter, ends in spring, so much mud)

  • April

    Pros: April vacation (for some of us), first full month of spring

    Cons: Rain, more rain

  • May

    Pros: Memorial Day weekend, typically one of the best weather months in New England

    Cons: Nightmare for seasonal allergy sufferers

  • June

    Pros: The kids are out of school! Yes!

    Cons: The kids are out of school! Nooooo!

  • July

    Pros: 4th of July weekend, a 31-day summer month

    Cons: Hot, humid

  • August

    Pros: Beach weather, vacation time

    August: Hazy, hot, humid

  • September

    Pros: Labor Day weekend, typically one of the best weather months in New England

    Cons: Back-to-school, back to the work routine

  • October

    Pros: Foliage, apple cider, crisp fall weather, Halloween

    Cons: Raking your leaves, your neighbor’s leafblower

  • November

    Pros: Thanksgiving, only 30 days long

    Cons: Fall back, shit weather (usually)

  • December

    Pros: Holiday season, holiday vacation

    Cons: Holiday season, holiday vacation