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Environment in Massachusetts

Air quality, wildfires, drought, water and emissions.

Monitored days with good air quality
83.1%
2025 · U.S. EPA AirData
Annual fires
≈ 1,300
Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
31.7%
2025 · U.S. Drought Monitor
Total withdrawals
≈ 4.3 B gal/day
Energy-related CO₂ emissions
56.1
2021 · U.S. EIA State Energy Data System
Average annual temperature
49.2
2025 · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information

Air Quality

Pollution levels.

Monitored days with good air quality
83.1%
2025 · U.S. EPA AirData
Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse
0.7%
2025 · U.S. EPA AirData
PM2.5 average
6.4 µg/m³

Monitored days with good air quality

1990–2025
83.1%

U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County, all monitored Massachusetts counties.

Monitored days unhealthy for sensitive groups or worse

1990–2025
0.7%

U.S. EPA AirData, Annual AQI by County (AQI above 100).

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
PM2.5 (µg/m³)6.48

Wildfires

Fire activity.

Annual fires
≈ 1,300
Acres burned
≈ 2,000
Among the lowest in the U.S.
Main season
Spring

Drought

Dry conditions.

Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average
31.7%
2025 · U.S. Drought Monitor
Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)
0.0%
2025 · U.S. Drought Monitor
Recent severe drought
2016 and 2022
Water restrictions
Seasonal, local

Area in drought (D1–D4), yearly average

2000–2025
31.7%

U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.

Area in extreme or exceptional drought (D3–D4)

2000–2025
0%

U.S. Drought Monitor (NDMC / USDA / NOAA), average of weekly maps.

Water Usage

Water withdrawals.

Total withdrawals
≈ 4.3 B gal/day
Public supply
≈ 700 M gal/day
Main source
Quabbin Reservoir

Emissions

Greenhouse gases.

Energy-related CO₂ emissions
56.1
2021 · U.S. EIA State Energy Data System
Transportation CO₂ emissions
26.7
2021 · U.S. EIA State Energy Data System
Per capita emissions
8.5 t
Among the lowest in the U.S.
2050 target
Net zero

Energy-related CO₂ emissions

1970–2021
56.1▼ 44%

U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, all sectors and fuels (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTTTOMAA).

Transportation CO₂ emissions

1970–2021
26.7▲ 8%

U.S. EIA State Energy Data System, transportation sector (FRED EMISSCO2TOTVTCTOMAA).

IndicatorMassachusettsU.S.
CO2 per capita (tonnes)8.514.7

Climate Indicators

Temperature and rainfall.

Average annual temperature
49.2
2025 · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Annual precipitation
42.9
2025 · NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Avg. temperature change
+1.6 °C since 1900
Sea level rise (Boston)
+28 cm since 1920

Average annual temperature

1895–2025
49.2▲ 7%

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December average.

Annual precipitation

1895–2025
42.92▲ 0%

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Climate at a Glance, statewide January–December total.

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