Legal Papadopoulos v. Target (2010) ended the natural-accumulation rule in MassachusettsBoston rule Boston businesses must clear walks within 3 hours after snow endsNOAA normal Worcester averages about 72.9 inches of snow a season; Boston about 49.2Freeze-thaw Worcester averages about 76 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itLegal Papadopoulos v. Target (2010) ended the natural-accumulation rule in MassachusettsBoston rule Boston businesses must clear walks within 3 hours after snow endsNOAA normal Worcester averages about 72.9 inches of snow a season; Boston about 49.2Freeze-thaw Worcester averages about 76 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Home › Snow & Ice Guide › How a Massachusetts winter unfolds

How a Massachusetts winter unfolds

Boston and Worcester snowfall, freeze-thaw counts and the season month by month.

Get a wholesale quote

An Eastern and Central Massachusetts winter brings nor'easters, much more snow inland than at the coast, and frequent freeze-thaw. Here's how a typical season tends to go. Any given year can differ.

Snowfall and freeze-thaw

PlaceAverage seasonal snowfallFreeze-thaw days a year
Boston (Logan)49.2 in61.2
Worcester72.9 in75.8

Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.1 Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.2

The season, month by month

November: line up supply

First freezes in Worcester County. Pre-buy and fill your pile.

December: first snows

Coast may rain while the 495 belt snows. Brine ahead inland.

January to February: nor'easter season

The biggest storms and the coldest pavement. Plow, treat, document.

March: late storms and freeze-thaw

Big March storms happen. Watch refreeze from piles.

Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals
  2. NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network-Daily (GHCN-Daily), station daily max/min temperatures 1991–2020

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.

Talk to real snow people

Need material for this? Get a quote

Talk to people who've run plows at 3 a.m. We know what it's like when the shed is empty, the radar is lit up and your clients expect dry walks by 7. Tell us what you need, and you'll get a straight answer and a written quote, not a sales pitch.

  • Fast delivery. Bulk dropped at your site, sized to your season, so you don't need a salt barn.
  • Storm-night loading. Extended loading hours when a big event hits.
  • Storm-priority list. Get in line for resupply before the storm, not during it.
  • See it first. Ask for a yard visit and see the treated salt in person.
  • Fall pre-buy and seasonal contracts. Lock in tons before the first flake.

Quotes are answered by a wholesale supplier serving MetroWest, the Route 128 and I-495 belt, and Worcester. Final prices, minimums and delivery area are on your written quote.

Contractor quote

Wholesale bulk de-icing material. Takes about a minute.

Products
Delivery or pickup
Make it easy on yourself
Thanks. Your request was sent. Expect a written quote soon.

No obligation. Your details are used only to answer this request.

Share this page TextFacebook XLinkedIn Email
Get a wholesale quote