If you've lived in Westwood for more than a week, you know the drill. You check your phone, it says "partly sunny," and ten minutes later you're scraping a surprise layer of sleet off your windshield at the Roche Bros. parking lot. New England weather is a special kind of chaotic, but weather for westwood ma has its own specific quirks that make it different from downtown Boston or even just down the road in Dedham.
Honestly, the "Boston forecast" is basically useless for us. We’re just far enough inland that the ocean’s moderating influence starts to fail, meaning our winter nights are often five to ten degrees colder than the Seaport.
What’s Happening Right Now?
As of Friday night, January 16, 2026, it is 27°F outside in Westwood. It feels like 19°F thanks to a steady 8 mph northwest wind. The sky is mostly cloudy, and while there’s a tiny 10% chance of snow, it’s mostly just that biting, dry cold that defines mid-January in Norfolk County.
Earlier today, we saw a high of 31°F. It was one of those "fake sunny" days—technically partly sunny, but the air still felt like a freezer. Tonight, we’re looking at a low of 19°F. If you’re heading out, the humidity is sitting at 48%, which is high enough to make the cold feel damp and bone-deep.
The Weird Science of the "Westwood Microclimate"
Westwood sits in a bit of a sweet spot—or a sour one, depending on how much you hate shoveling. Because our elevation is slightly higher than the immediate coastal plain (we’re sitting around 220 to 300 feet depending on if you’re near High Street or the Islington side), we often get caught in the "rain-snow line" during Nor'easters.
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It’s a common local frustration.
Boston gets rain. Worcester gets eight inches of powder. Westwood gets four inches of heart-attack slush that freezes into solid ice by 6:00 PM.
Why January 16th Matters
Historically, we are right in the thick of the coldest stretch of the year. Data from the Blue Hill Observatory (just a few miles away in Milton and the gold standard for local climate history) shows that late January is when our "deep freeze" usually sets in.
- Average Highs: Usually hover around 35°F.
- Average Lows: Typically dip to 21°F.
- The Wind Factor: Today’s 17 mph gusts from the west are fairly standard, but they make outdoor chores feel significantly more brutal.
Surviving the Seasonal Shift
The trend lately hasn't been just "colder" or "warmer." It’s been erratic. According to the Massachusetts Wildlife Climate Action Tool, winter temperatures in the state have risen by more than 3°F over the last half-century. This sounds nice until you realize it means more "ice events" and fewer "snow events." Ice is much harder to manage on Route 109 than a few inches of fluff.
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The humidity also plays a massive role here. In June, Westwood hits a staggering 74% average humidity. But in January? It drops, though it rarely feels "dry." Today’s 35% humidity during the daylight hours is actually quite comfortable for a New England winter, preventing that parched, cracked-skin feeling you get during an Arctic blast.
Practical Steps for Westwood Residents
Stop relying on the generic "Boston" weather report on the evening news. It doesn't account for the way the wind whips through the open spaces near the University Avenue area or the way the trees in the Hale Reservation trap moisture.
1. Watch the Dew Point, Not Just the Temp
If the dew point is close to the air temperature, expect fog or icing on the bridges over I-95. Today’s 21°F dew point against a 27°F air temp means things are relatively dry, so black ice shouldn't be a major concern tonight.
2. The "Islington Icing" Effect
Islington and the lower-lying parts of town tend to hold onto cold air longer than the hills. If your car thermometer says 32°F at your house near the high school, assume it's 29°F by the time you hit the train station.
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3. Prepare for the "Clipper"
The 10% snow chance mentioned for tonight is likely a result of a weak "clipper" system moving through. These don't usually require the snowblower, but they are notorious for making the morning commute on the 128 belt a nightmare.
4. Check Your UV Index
Even in winter, the UV index hit 2 today. If you’re heading to Blue Hills for a winter hike or just walking the dog at Lowell Woods, the sun reflecting off any residual ice can still catch you off guard.
Understanding weather for westwood ma isn't just about knowing if you need a coat. It’s about knowing which coat and whether or not you need to leave ten minutes early to defrost the SUV. Stay warm out there; the sun doesn't start feeling "real" again until mid-March.