Massachusetts has more than its share of beautiful scenery and jaw-dropping views, but there's just something special about watching the sun dip below the horizon in this state. Whether you're taking in the sunset from a blanket on the beach, the top floor of a Boston skyscraper, or just your bedroom window, one thing is for sure: you won't be disappointed by the show. Check out these gorgeous shots of the sun setting in Massachusetts.
1. The rosy glow of the sun setting over Wingaersheek beach.
When the universe was passing out great sunsets, it gave a little extra to Massachusetts. Where's your favorite place to watch the sun go down? Share and let us know in the comments!
As a resident of the Bay State, I consider myself so fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the country. Massachusetts is filled with amazing natural wonders and gorgeous landscapes that become even more breathtaking once the autumn months roll around. Although I have spent most of my life in New England, the beauty of the changing leaves never ceases to amaze me.
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Have you been wondering, "When do leaves change in Massachusetts?" Well, I am here to tell you all about it! Only In Your State has paired up with our friends at SmokyMountains.com and they have created a cool Massachusetts fall foliage map, which tells you when the foliage is best for ultimate leaf-peeping. Read on to discover some fantastic spots to view the changing leaves.
While it is impossible to know with 100 percent accuracy when the leaves will change colors, the fall foliage map by SmokyMountains.com gives us a pretty good idea so you can start planning your autumn adventures. SmokyMountains.com utilizes a refined data model that depends on a combination of factors, including historical temperature and precipitation, forecast temperature and precipitation, the type of tree known to be prominent in that geographic region, the historical trends in that area, and user data.
According to SmokyMountains.com, this year's foliage season is predicted to start in early-to-mid September and last until the beginning of October. The color changes appear to be fairly consistent across the state, so no matter where you go, you should be able to see some beautiful autumn shades. Expect to see some minimal-to-patchy hues during the second and third weeks in September. By Halloween, we'll be well past peak leaf peeping season in Massachusetts!
Towns such as Adams, Lenox, and Stockbridge have many beautiful walks and hiking trails that are magnificently enchanting when surrounded by orange, yellow, and red hues.
Of course, a trip on the scenic Hoosac Valley Train Ride is always a fun way to experience fall in Massachusetts. During this hour-long train ride, you will be able to see beautiful colors as you relax from the comfort of your seat in a 100-year-old coach.
The picturesque Pioneer Valley is a lovely place to view the near-peak foliage in Massachusetts, as are places like Easthampton, Amherst, and Hadley.
The North Shore is a great place to view some vibrant colors and take part in some fun fall activities such as apple picking and corn mazes. Ipswich is a quintessential New England town that is perfect for an autumn getaway.
And don't worry if you can't make it out to the suburbs to see the foliage. There are several fantastic green spaces within the city of Boston where you can watch the trees turn.
The Boston Public Garden, Jamaica Pond, and the Charles River Esplanade are excellent spots for beautiful fall photos.
Do you have a favorite spot to view some spectacular fall colors? Please tell us all about it. If you are looking for some unique ways to explore the state this fall, check out this apple cider donut trail and fall foliage bike trip.
A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck Massachusetts In 1978… And No One Saw It Coming
The Blizzard of 1978 was a catastrophic storm that caused severe damage and loss of life in Massachusetts due to unpreparedness and poor weather forecasting.
The Blizzard of 1978. It was the most catastrophic storm to hit Massachusetts in over 200 years. For those who lived through it, no blizzard before or since has come close to surpassing the Blizzard of '78's sheer brutality. Massachusetts was not prepared for the force with which the storm struck, which resulted in unfathomable property damage and tragic loss of life. It is considered the worst blizzard in Massachusetts history.
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First, the vital statistics. The storm formed on the evening of Feb. 5, 1978. It officially ended a whole two days later, on Feb. 7. Record snowfall and terrifying wind speeds were recorded across all of New England, but Massachusetts was particularly brutalized.
Just how much snow fell in Massachusetts? Too much. Boston received 27.1 inches, which was a record at the time. The storm killed approximately 100 people in the Northeast and injured around 4,500.
Why was this such a deadly storm and one of the worst blizzards in Massachusetts? Because people were simply not prepared. The weather stations had forecasted heavy snow the early morning of Feb. 5, and when people awoke to not even a single flake, most went to work and school as usual. Weather forecasting technology in the 1970s was just beginning to reach today's level of accuracy, and much of the public was still skeptical of it. When snow began falling heavily later in the day, no one had time to adequately prepare for the wintry onslaught.
Due to the sudden nature of the storm and the poor alert systems in place, many Massachusetts employees were stuck at their workplaces for several days. Hundreds of people were trapped in their cars on major highways and roads. Fourteen people died in their cars on 1-95 as snow piled high enough that exhaust fumes from their cars could not escape. I-95 was eventually overrun with cross-country skiers and snowmobiles searching for buried motorists. Over 3,500 cars were found abandoned on major highways.
In many places, car travel was banned for a week following the storm. Thousands of people throughout eastern Massachusetts were snowed into their homes. About 10,000 people were forced to move into emergency shelters and over 2,500 homes were effectively destroyed. In Massachusetts, 54 people were killed by conditions related to the blizzard. Many were electrocuted by falling wires, while some, including 10-year-old Peter Gosselin of Uxbridge, simply disappeared into snow banks and were not found until weeks later.
Because the storm hit during a new moon when the tides were unusually high, damage along the Massachusetts coast was severe. Sea walls crumbled and roads were flooded. The picture above was taken just before the storm began raging across Massachusetts. Minot Light is about one mile from the shores of Cohasset and Scituate. The lighthouse is 114 feet high, which means that the waves are crashing against it at heights of at least 100 feet.
Do you have any memories of what might be the worst blizzard in Massachusetts history? How did it affect you and your family? What do you remember of that winter in Massachusetts? We'd love to hear from you. If you're up for a winter adventure, follow one of the best winter hikes in Massachusetts. Find a comprehensive list, including hiker reviews and photos, on All Trails.
