DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 11-15)

The volatility of March will be on display over the next 5 days. Today, a back-door cold front is in the process of slicing across the region from northeast to southwest and will come to a stop this morning somewhere around southern RI / eastern CT, with the majority of the region spending the majority of today’s hours on the cool side with a northeast wind making it much cooler than yesterday’s late spring preview temperatures, while the cool-down is more modest in the small area that remains on the front’s warmer side. We’ll see both an increase in clouds from the west in response to an approaching trough, but as the day goes on, more ocean-formed stratus clouds will invade the sky at lower levels from northeast to southwest and a few patches of drizzle can occur in the NH Seacoast region and eastern MA from this low level maritime air flow. Tonight, the frontal boundary is going to be pushed back to the north and east in response to low pressure moving through the Great Lakes, as a stronger south to southwest air flow overtakes the region. Areas of rain showers will accompany this transition, and these will persist Thursday as that low’s cold front moves through the region from west to east during the day – creating an “upside-down” temperatures profile for the day – warmest in the morning, followed by a drop. The air incoming is cold enough that when a wave forms and moves up along the frontal boundary, we can expect to see a mix over to wet snow, with even some minor accumulation likely in portions of the region Thursday evening before clearing arrives from west to east. This chilly air mass will be in place on Friday, a day that starts with sun but ends up with clouds as the next disturbance heads our way via the Great Lakes. This low is going to pass to our north Friday night and early Saturday, so we’ll get a warm front / cold front combo. The warm front will produce a shield of snow and mixed precipitation, but the bulk of the steadiest should pass just to the north of the area, with the greatest chance to see it in northern MA and southern NH Friday late-day and evening. The cold front will swing through in the early hours of Saturday with rain and snow showers, followed by drier, but breezy weather during the day. Had enough quick change? Well, another low pressure system will approach our region from the west again during Sunday, again destined for a track to our north, dragging its warm front our way with more clouds and a chance of rain, which may start as mixed precipitation, as early as the late afternoon hours of Sunday, though the majority of that day will be precipitation-free.

TODAY: Sun gives way to clouds. Afternoon drizzle patches eastern coastal areas and a late-day rain shower possible western areas. Highs 45-52 except 53-60 western RI and eastern CT. Wind NE 5-15 MPH except SW up to 10 MPH western RI and eastern CT.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Occasional rain showers. Patchy fog. Temperatures steady 53-60 western RI and eastern CT and rising to 53-60 elsewhere. Wind SW to S 5-15 MPH, higher gusts overnight.

THURSDAY: Cloudy. Numerous rain showers mixing with or changing to wet snow later in the day from west to east. Highs 55-62 early, then falling from west to east into the 30s by the end of the day. Wind S 10-20 MPH, higher gusts, shifting to NW from west to east.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy early including the chance of mix to wet snow with minor accumulation possible, then clearing. Lows 32-39. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Sun followed by clouds. Late-day mix / snow possible favoring north central MA / southwestern NH. Highs 38-45. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy evening with snow / mix / rain most likely in southern NH and northern MA and a few rain showers to the south. Lows 31-38, coldest southern NH / northern MA. Wind variable 5-15 MPH becoming W with higher gusts overnight.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy morning with rain and snow showers possible, then a sun / cloud mix. Highs 43-50. Wind W to NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 28-35. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, diminishing.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Evening mix potential north and west of Boston. Highs 45-52. Wind variable to SE up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 16-20)

Low pressure passing to our north produces a stronger southerly air flow but accompanied by abundant moisture with numerous to widespread rain showers expected for at least part of March 16, followed by a push of drier and colder air weather St. Pat’s Day on March 17 and fair, chilly weather continuing during the middle of next week before the next trough and low pressure brings unsettled weather with a precipitation chance for the day of the Vernal Equinox (10:46 a.m. EDT) March 20.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 21-25)

The early days of spring show signs of typical volatility with up and down temps and a couple periods of unsettled weather, the details of which will be sorted in the days ahead.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 10-14)

Today we get a preview of mid spring with a healthy southwesterly air flow due to high pressure to the south and low pressure passing through the Great Lakes into southeastern Canada. This air flow off the ocean water to the south of New England of course will keep the South Coast / Cape Cod / Islands cooler than areas that experience a true land breeze, which is typical and notable for this time of the year – and you’ll see that reflected in the wide-ranging specifics on the temperature expectations for today. Abundant sunshine can be enjoyed by all, regardless of air temperature at your specific location, but don’t get used to this weather because changes are coming, and quickly. Tonight, clouds increase both from the west associated with the approach of the trough that drives the low pressure area mentioned in the first line of this discussion. At the same time, the front attached to the low, which by tonight will be well east of our longitude, will be pushed southward and pivot southwestward via the Gulf of Maine, thanks to high pressure build into east central Canada behind it, and will cross our region as a back-door cold front overnight. This sets up a cloudy and uniformly chilly day on Wednesday. The region’s high temperatures for the day will occur at about midnight tonight, after which it’ll be in the 40s everywhere, with no big temperature range, no sun, and patchy drizzle along with the chance of a passing rain shower. Another low pressure area will be moving through the Great Lakes at that time, and it will serve to pull that frontal boundary back to the northeast at night, when the temperature will start to rise again from southwest to northeast into Thursday morning, when that day’s high temperatures will occur. One band of showers can come through Wednesday late evening with a trough, and the main band of precipitation will come through on Thursday morning and midday from west to east with a cold front. This boundary has a sharp enough temperature contrast with it so that what falls as mainly rain showers can end mixed with wet snow from west to east across the region during the day late morning to early afternoon Thursday. I don’t expect much of any clearing that afternoon as chilly air arrives, but any that does occur will be brief and mainly at night, before the next low pressure system dives our way via the Great Lakes on Friday with clouds re-thickening and a chance of some rain, mix, and snow arriving from west to east. This system passes through and departs Saturday with a trend back to drier weather after an unsettled start.

TODAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 68-75 Boston west southwestward to northeastern CT and northwestward through interior northeastern MA, central MA, and interior southern NH, ranging down a narrow band of 60-67 between that and 53-60 tip of Cape Ann MA and across the South Coast and Upper Cape Cod with 45-52 Lower Cape Cod and Islands. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clouding over. Patchy drizzle NH Seacoast and eastern MA coastal areas by morning. Lows 38-45 except 43-50 south central MA to eastern CT. Wind SW shifting to NE 5-15 MPH from northeast to southwest.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Patchy drizzle. Chance of rain showers, especially during the afternoon. Highs 43-50, mildest southwest of Boston. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Rain showers likely. Areas of fog. Temperatures rise to 50-57. Wind shifting to S 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Cloudy. Rain showers likely in the morning, may mix with or change to wet snow especially higher elevations of southern NH and central MA during the afternoon. Highs 52-59 early, then falling. Wind S shifting to NW 5-15 MPH with higher gusts.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly to partly cloudy. Lows 31-38. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy. Late day or evening mix / snow possible from west to east. Highs 38-45. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Occasional rain / mix / snow likely. Lows 30-37. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Cloudy start with a chance of rain / mix, then breaking clouds. Highs 43-50. Wind SW to W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 15-19)

Additional unsettled weather opportunities which can include some mix / frozen precipitation as the pattern is somewhat colder.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 20-24)

The vernal equinox (start of spring) occurs at 10:46 a.m. EDT on Friday March 20. A volatile weather pattern with up and down temps and unsettled weather on frequent occasion will mark its early days.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 9-13)

A push of warm air brings the feel of spring and obliterates most of the remaining snow cover today and Tuesday as high pressure sits to our south and low pressure moves well to our north. As this low head into far eastern Canada, high pressure building in east central Canada will send its front southward and the cold water of the Gulf of Maine will help accelerate this process so it comes through as a back-door cold front Tuesday night and early Wednesday, returning chilly and raw air to our region, along with lots of clouds. At the same time, additional clouds would be coming in from the west anyway as low pressure enters the Great Lakes. This will drag that boundary back through as a warm front Wednesday night, combined with low level moisture from the ocean it will result in drizzle and rain showers, putting us briefly back into a wedge of warmer air early Thursday before a cold front moves through from west to east. This front will be accompanied by widespread rain showers that may mix with or turn to wet snow especially in higher elevations as the front goes by and returns colder air to the region from west to east. This leads to a chilly Friday, and any clearing is reversed as another system heads our way from the west, bringing the chance of snow/mix/rain by Friday evening. Details on that system are to-be-determined.

TODAY: Patchy clouds otherwise lots of sun. Highs 57-64 I-95 belt westward, 50-57 elsewhere except 43-50 Cape Cod and Islands. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Patchy fog. Lows 36-43. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 65-72 I-95 belt westward, 58-65 inside I-95 except 50-57 Upper Cape Cod / South Coast and 45-52 Lower Cape Cod / Islands. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clouding over. Patchy drizzle NH Seacoast and eastern MA coastal areas by morning. Lows 38-45 except 45-52 south central MA to eastern CT. Wind SW shifting to NE 5-15 MPH from northeast to southwest.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Patchy drizzle. Chance of rain showers, especially during the afternoon. Highs 45-52, mildest southwest of Boston. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Rain showers likely. Areas of fog. Temperatures rise to 50-57. Wind shifting to S 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Cloudy. Rain showers likely in the morning, may mix with or change to wet snow especially higher elevations of southern NH and central MA during the afternoon. Highs 52-59 early, then falling. Wind S shifting to NW 5-15 MPH with higher gusts.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Mix / snow showers possible favoring eastern areas in the evening. Lows 31-38. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy. Late day or evening mix / snow possible from west to east. Highs 38-45. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 14-18)

Additional unsettled weather opportunities which can include some mix / frozen precipitation as the pattern is somewhat colder.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 19-23)

Overall pattern leans cold with near to above normal precipitation. The vernal equinox (start of spring) occurs at 10:46 a.m. EDT on Friday March 20.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 8-12)

A cold front moves through the region this morning with rain showers and mild air. The air behind this front is not really that chilly, so we stay mild through the day as it starts to clear out west to east this afternoon. That mild air hangs around and is even reinforced Monday and Tuesday as another low pressure area traveling well to our northwest and north brings the frontal boundary back through as a warm front later Monday, and we may have the luxury of waiting until sometime Tuesday night for the boundary to again slip to the south, allowing that day to be the mildest of the short-lived stretch. However, I am not completely convinced that we won’t see that front sneak more quickly in via the Gulf of Maine as a back-door front, spoiling the party on Tuesday for at least northern and coastal areas. Something we’ll have to continue to monitor during the next couple of days. Wednesday, it’s back to reality as the frontal boundary by then is most certainly to our south and high pressure in eastern Canada delivers some low level chilly air as another storm heads for the Great Lakes at the same time. This system will try to drag that frontal boundary back through as a warm front, but that is held up until sometime that night or early Thursday morning, at which time we briefly enter the warm sector before a cold front plows through the region from west to east during the day Thursday. Additional unsettled weather can be expected as those fronts move through our region with more detail to come in future updates. Lastly, I hope you remembered to adjust any clocks needing manual adjustment, as we are now on Daylight Saving Time. Enjoy the later sunsets starting today!

TODAY: Mostly cloudy with rain showers morning. Increasing sun west to east afternoon. Highs 52-59 except 45-52 Cape Cod / South Coast. Wind SW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts possible, shifting to W.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 38-45. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 47-54 South Coast, coolest Cape Cod, 55-62 elsewhere. Wind W under 10 MPH shifting to SE.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 37-44 evening before a slow rise occurs overnight. Wind SE to S up to 10 MPH shifting to SW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 46-53 Cape Cod / Islands, 53-60 South Coast, 60-67 elsewhere. A sharp temperature drop is possible in southern NH and eastern MA before the end of the day. Wind SW to W 5-15 MPH, may shift to N or NE at least in southern NH and eastern MA during the day.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 38-45. Wind shifting to NE 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Chance of rain. Highs 45-52. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Chance of rain. Lows 38-45 evening but can rise slowly overnight. Wind E to SE up to 10 MPH shifting to S overnight.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy with rain showers likely, followed by clearing west to east in the afternoon. Highs 50-57. Wind S to SW 10-20 MPH shifting to W.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 13-17)

Volatile mid March pattern. Additional unsettled weather opportunities which can include some mix / frozen precipitation as the pattern is somewhat colder.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 18-22)

Overall pattern leans cold with near to above normal precipitation. The vernal equinox (start of spring) occurs at 10:46 a.m. EDT on Friday March 20.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 7-11)

The low pressure area that went by our region early yesterday left behind a layer of cold air at the surface, and if you are used to the late winter / early spring weather in this area, you know that those cold layers are often very tough to dislodge once they are established. This will be the case today, even as a formidable low pressure area tracks from the Great Lakes into southeastern Canada. Its warm front is going to struggle to erode the cold layer. Higher dew points in place over our snow cover is producing fairly widespread fog underneath a layer of low clouds. The warm front that extends from the aforementioned low pressure area will take until this evening to finally make its way across the entire Woods Hill Weather forecast area, doing so first near the South Coast and eastern Connecticut, and lastly in the NH Seacoast region. While it’s a rain-free warm frontal passage, there will be some patches of light drizzle with the fog as a result of low level moisture in place prior to the approach and passage of the front. Clouds probably never break and sun is not seen anywhere today, but if this was to happen it would not occur until late-day and favor areas to the west and southwest of Boston. Clouds remain dominant tonight, but we’ll see a temperature rise across the region as we are finally into the warm sector of the low. Its cold front will sweep across the region during the morning on Sunday with clouds and rain showers. This is the same system that produced the severe thunderstorms and tornadoes from the Plains to the Great Lakes yesterday. Thankfully for our area, the conditions will not support severe weather, just rain showers. As the front goes by, the wind shifts to westerly and drier air arrives. I mentioned previously that the source region for the air behind the cold front isn’t really cold, so it’ll be a mild afternoon on Sunday. The active weather pattern then sends another low tracking eastward, set to pass to our north early in the coming week. Its warm front goes by the region by Monday evening, but the the daytime up to that point will be decent, with some high and mid level clouds sharing the sky with the sun, and relatively mild air – not much different than what we’ll have on Sunday, though the coast may end up cooler with more of an onshore wind developing ahead of the warm front. As the second low pressure area also travels across southeastern Canada, its cold front won’t sweep as cleanly across our region as the first low’s cold front does on Sunday. During Tuesday it will become more west-to-east oriented while held back by high pressure to our south, and this will promote warmer air to become more dominant. During this time, high pressure will also build in eastern Canada – a source of colder air waiting to pounce. This will happen as the cold front sags to the south and passes through our region. My forecast question was the timing on this front – whether it would hold back and allow a warmer day Tuesday, or come southward more quickly and cut off the warmth sooner. This is still something I am working out for the more detailed aspects of Tuesday’s forecast, and for now I am just generalizing with thinking that the front will cross the region “during the day”, but late enough in most areas for 60+ high temperatures. Earlier this week, I discussed doubt about Wednesday being a warm day as was shone by much of the medium range guidance, which often under-estimates the strength of high pressure in eastern Canada and often over-estimates the ability for warm air to surge into New England at this time of year, especially when you have remaining snow cover (and we still will have some, even though we lose much of it prior to then). At the same time, the still-active pattern sends another low pressure disturbance in our direction via the Great Lakes, and this likely means we combine that system from the west with moisture and colder air from the north and northeast, meaning that Wednesday ends up resembling yesterday and today here. Obviously, there will be some additional details to work out with this since it is still several days away…

*** FINAL REMINDER: This is the final day of Standard Time for this cycle, and the switch to Daylight Saving Time takes place tomorrow (Sunday) as 2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT. Remember to switch any clocks that do not do so automatically before you retire tonight!

TODAY: Cloudy. Areas of drizzle and fog through midday. Highs 39-46. Wind calm, then eventually S up to 10 MPH from southwest to northeast.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers arrive west to east overnight. Temperatures rise slightly to 46-53. Wind S to SW 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy with rain showers morning. Increasing sun west to east afternoon. Highs 53-60 except steady 46-53 Cape Cod. Wind SW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts possible, shifting to W.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 38-45. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 45-52 South Coast, coolest Cape Cod, 52-59 elsewhere. Wind W under 10 MPH shifting to SE.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 37-44 evening before a slow rise occurs overnight. Wind SE to S up to 10 MPH shifting to SW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 50-57 South Coast – coolest Cape Cod, 58-65 elsewhere, but a quick temperature drop is possible in southeastern NH and northeastern MA during the afternoon. Wind SW to W 5-15 MPH may shift to N-NE in southern NH and northern MA during the afternoon.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 38-45. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Chance of rain. Temperatures steady 38-45. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 12-16)

Volatile mid March pattern. Early period low pressure tracks close to or just north of the region with a potential brief temperatures spike and rain showers followed by a quick temperature drop late next week. Afterward additional unsettled weather meeting colder air can mean a potential variety of precipitation – timing and details TBD.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 17-21)

Overall pattern leans cold with near to above normal precipitation. Regardless of the weather pattern, the Vernal Equinox (start of spring) occurs at 10:46 a.m. EDT on Friday March 20.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 6-10)

For all the explanation, in the end the atmosphere was 1 to 2 degrees “milder” and therefore the more prominent frozen (sleet / snow) portion of the event was far less dominant, and rain with pockets of freezing rain were far more dominant, with sleet / snow well to the north finally making its way into about the Route 2 corridor during the pre-dawn hours today. Here in Woburn I have maybe 0.2 inch of a mostly sleet and slightly snow combo, with a little bit left to go, but make no mistake that in the areas coated or have a small accumulation of snow and sleet, there is some slippery travel to deal with this morning, and even worse, a solid glaze of freezing rain in the higher elevations of south central and central MA and some adjacent areas. These conditions will be slow to improve today as we remain overcast and chilly even as the precipitation tapers off, leaving an overcast with areas of fog and drizzle in its wake as a wave of low pressure departs to the east. We stay on the chilly side of the frontal boundary this wave was riding along into Saturday too, and it won’t be until sometime in the afternoon that the boundary will finally lift through as a warm front in response to stronger low pressure heading through the Great Lakes region. Temperatures Saturday, while milder than today, probably fail to reach 50 across most if not all of the area. We can also see some patchy drizzle lingering in the morning, and I cannot even rule out a quick episode of rain with the eventual passage of the warm front. The low moving through the Great Lakes then crosses southeastern Canada Sunday and drags its cold front through our region. That will be a slightly milder day, breaking 50 across the interior while the South Coast / Cape Cod stay in the 40s with a southwest wind off the ocean. We can expect some passing rain showers associated with the cold front, but clouds will also break for sun at times, especially once the front goes by during the afternoon hours. So, if there is a “pick” to the weekend for better weather, it goes to Sunday. Once that cold front clears the region, in comes a push of drier air, and with the source region for the post-frontal air mass not being too cold, I’m expecting Monday to be a little milder to warmer still with fair weather across the region. Tuesday’s forecast becomes a little more tricky. With the next front from the west still some distance away, you’d figure we’re in the clear for a milder / warmer day with fair weather, but it’s not that simple. There will be a high pressure area building in eastern Canada, and these can be under-simulated by model guidance and many times end up a little stronger than shown several days in advance. If this is the case, the ability of a frontal boundary to our north to be forced southward becomes easier, and this may put somewhat of a cap on the warm up that day if the boundary comes through and winds shift to north or northeast. This will be something I’ll be looking closely at the trend for over the coming few days.

Another reminder that the switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on Sunday (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT).

TODAY: Overcast. Areas of fog. Precipitation (mainly sleet / snow north and mix / rain south) tapering off from west to east by midday with patchy drizzle and freezing drizzle remaining thereafter. Minor additional snow and sleet accumulation mainly north of Route 2 into mid morning with some additional icing potential in higher elevations of south central MA early morning. Highs 32-39. Wind NE to N 5-15 MPH, a few higher gusts in the 20-25 MPH range Cape Ann & Cape Cod MA.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Patchy drizzle / freezing drizzle. Foggy areas. Areas of black ice. Lows 30-37. Wind calm.

SATURDAY: Cloudy start with areas of fog and patchy drizzle, then breaking clouds with partial sun at times midday on. Highs 42-49, coolest South Coast. Wind calm early, eventually S to SW up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. A rain shower possible overnight. Temperatures rise slightly to 45-52. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Variably cloudy with a rain shower possible in the morning, then increasing sun from west to east. Temperatures steady 45-52 South Coast and highs 52-59 elsewhere. Wind SW to W 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 38-45. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 45-52 South Coast, coolest Cape Cod, 52-59 elsewhere. Wind W to SW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear to partly cloudy. Lows 37-44. Wind SW to W up to 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 53-60 except cooler in coastal areas and may drop to the 40s afternoon. Wind variable to W 5-15 MPH may shift to N or NE during the day.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 11-15)

Leaning unsettled early to mid period with the potential for rain/mix/snow and colder conditions before a trend back to fair weather later in the period.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 16-20)

Additional cold and potentially unsettled weather again early period before a trend to variable temperatures but still a somewhat unsettled pattern.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 5-9)

A frontal boundary that has been instrumental in our weather so far this week will continue to play a role as we face another messy late winter weather event. It will start slowly today as clouds thicken across the region and a ribbon of precipitation, falling as rain, stretches eastward across eastern CT, RI, into southeastern MA with time, falling pretty lightly any time from midday on. It is tonight that this area of precipitation will solidify and drift northward to encompass the entire region in response to an eastward-moving low pressure area that will pass just south of our region during the first half of the day Friday. With high pressure in eastern Canada supplying cold air, we’re looking at a variety of precipitation. I’m expecting mainly rain for the South Coast, and while the front edge of the precipitation may be in the form of rain as it heads northward, its meeting with colder air will result in a flip to sleet and pockets of snow the further north you go, with this frozen precipitation variety, dominated by sleet, mostly north of I-90, while along and just south of I-90 more of a mix of sleet and rain is expected, but pockets of freezing rain can occur as well, and this is most likely to be seen in higher elevations from northwestern RI through south central MA due to the land elevation forcing the cold air layer to be more shallow, with precipitation reaching the cold surface as rain, rather than ice pellets. It is this area that has the greatest chance of ice accretion that can lead to very slippery travel and some tree branches coming down (increasing the power outage risk). The wildcard on this system is how much snow vs. sleet in parts of northern MA and southern NH, mainly from the Route 2 corridor northward. Right now, I would expected a general coating to 2 inch snow and sleet combination accumulation north of I-90, with 2 to 4 inch potential, more dominated by snow, along and north of the Route 2 corridor, especially away from the coast. I cannot rule out an accumulation exceeding 4 inches in a few locations that stay snow longest. It’s very important to note that the marginal temperature aspect of this particular set-up means that 1 or 2 degrees one way or another means the difference between a few inches of snow and a lot more sleet with just a coating of sleet/snow, so the forecast ranges are vulnerable and only based on best info at the time of this writing. I’d lean toward the lower side of the ranges. Precipitation tapers off and ends from west to east during the morning and midday hours on Friday. Behind the system, we’re to be left with chilly air trapped at low levels, patches of drizzle or freezing drizzle, and areas of fog, and this can persist into early Saturday morning before a change takes place. This will occur as yet another low pressure area tracks northeastward through the Great Lakes into southern Canada, and an increasing southwesterly air flow gradually scours out the low level cold air. Saturday’s weather will eventually turn out milder, though clouds may remain dominant much of the time. This low’s cold front will slide across the region during Sunday morning and midday with a rain shower risk, followed by some clearing. The air behind that front will not be particularly cold, and will be of modified continental origin rather than the chilly eastern Canadian / maritime air we just experienced, so a milder feel can be enjoyed later Sunday through Monday as drier weather returns to the region.

The switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on Sunday (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT).

TODAY: Fog patches and patchy black ice early to mid morning, otherwise any early sun fades behind thickening clouds. Light rain arrives midday on eastern CT, RI, and into southeastern MA. Highs 40-47. Wind calm early, then E up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Overcast. Areas of fog. Rain overspreads the region but changes to sleet and snow north of I-90 with pockets of freezing rain and sleet to the south except remaining mainly liquid rain South Coast. Greatest chance for freezing rain higher elevation areas of southern MA into northwestern RI. Lows 30-37. Wind E to NE 5-15 MPH, higher gusts overnight Cape Cod.

FRIDAY: Overcast. Areas of fog. Precipitation (mainly sleet / snow north and mix / rain south) tapering off from west to east by midday with patchy drizzle and freezing drizzle remaining thereafter. Total snow and sleet accumulation ranging from patchy coatings south of I-90 to a solid coating to 2 inches I-90 belt to the Route 2 corridor, with 2 to 4 inches more common north of the Route 2 corridor including isolated 4 to 6 inch amounts in interior southern NH and north central MA. Highs 32-39. Wind NE to N 5-15 MPH, higher gusts Cape Cod and eastern coastal areas.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Patchy drizzle / freezing drizzle. Foggy areas. Areas of black ice. Lows 30-37. Wind calm.

SATURDAY: Cloudy start with areas of fog and patchy drizzle, then breaking clouds with partial sun at times midday on. Highs 43-50, coolest South Coast. Wind calm early, eventually SW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. A rain shower possible overnight. Lows 35-42. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Variably cloudy with a rain shower possible in the morning, then clearing. Highs 47-54, coolest Cape Cod. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 38-45. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 43-50 South Coast, 50-57 elsewhere. Wind SW 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 10-14)

Watch for a sneaky back-door cold front potential early in the period, but right now leaning toward a strong enough southwesterly air flow to keep that from happening, with above normal temperatures, but modified much cooler air South Coast. A mid period cold front sweeps through with rain shower chances, may mix with snow at end, then a return to seasonably chilly air for mid March later in the period.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 15-19)

Pattern volatility but a trend to colder than normal while we watch for an end-of-spring bout or two of precipitation, which can include frozen precipitation.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 4-8)

Any untreated surfaces are likely very icy to start the day today so use caution of heading out prior to late morning, when we should finally see an adequate enough temperature rise to allow more significant melting. After yesterday’s / last night’s messy bout of precipitation, the sky cleared overnight and if it wasn’t already below freezing, it went below in most areas. We’ll have plenty of sun and a “milder” day today, even though a frontal boundary has been pushed to the south of our region – March sunshine is stronger and the source of this air is not that cold. However, the same frontal boundary is not done playing games with us, and its attempted return northward will bring a heavier overcast back into the region during Thursday, and eventually another ribbon of precipitation as a wave of low pressure comes along it Thursday night into Friday. High pressure in eastern Canada will keep the boundary from moving too far north, and low pressure moving along it will pass just to our south, setting up a chilly mixed precipitation event – probably starting as rain and transitioning to a mix of sleet and freezing rain especially north of the Mass Pike with a better chance that plain rain continues to the south. But this will have to be monitored with temperatures in that “borderline” region once again. I don’t think we’ll see any significant snow bursts in the next system, but I can’t rule out some wet snow mixing in over northern MA and southern NH in the early hours of Friday. Precipitation moves out as the wave of low pressure departs to the east during the day on Friday. As we get to the weekend a bit of a transition takes place. We’re first left with chilly air behind the departing low, but another low pressure area will be traveling toward southeastern Canada via the Great Lakes. Eventually, a stronger southwesterly air flow ahead of its trailing cold front will scour out the low level cold we have in place, but this may take until midday Saturday to occur. I do expect that day will feature a lot of clouds, but also a warm-up that you may need patience to enjoy. It should also be a rain-free day, with any rain shower threat associated with the aforementioned frontal boundary waiting until sometime at night. The front will pass through and I expect mainly fair weather on Sunday, but this time we won’t see a strong push of chilly air behind that frontal boundary, so Sunday may turn out to be a decent day despite some cloudiness, but I am optimistic, as far as late winter allows me to be at this point. Also to note: The switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on Sunday (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT).

TODAY: Widespread black ice this morning – use caution walking and/or driving! Plenty of sun / few clouds. Highs 42-49 (may not realized until mid to late afternoon). Wind near calm to start, then W up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog. Patchy black-ice reforms. Lows 31-39. Wind near calm.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 40-47. Wind E up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Overcast. Rain arrives southwest to northeast, but may occur as freezing rain and / or sleet some inland areas especially north of I-90. Lows 31-38. Wind E up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Overcast. Areas of fog. Rain / ice / sleet – the former most likely south, the latter more likely north, and potentially wet snow mixing in also northern MA and southern NH, with all precipitation tapering off west to east by midday. Highs 33-40. Wind E to NE up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Foggy areas. Areas of black ice. Lows 30-37. Wind calm.

SATURDAY: Cloudy start with areas of fog, then breaking clouds with partial sun at times midday on. Highs 43-50, coolest South Coast. Wind calm early, eventually SW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. A rain shower possible. Lows 35-42. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 47-54, coolest Cape Cod. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 9-13)

A milder / warmer spell early to middle of next week before a front brings a ribbon of rain and a turn to chilly weather at the end of the week – timing / details TBD. One thing that may interrupt it is a frontal boundary that slips down from the north and northeast in response to high pressure in eastern Canada. If that takes place, the temperature pattern would be more variable and some additional unsettled weather could occur during the transition to or from the “interruption”.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 14-18)

Up-and-down temperature pattern with a trend to below normal in the waning days of spring. Temperatures transitions marked by precipitation chances, the details of which are definitely too soon to know. Summary: Volatile mid March pattern expected.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 3-7)

A frontal boundary will be the conveyor belt for low pressure areas passing by our region in the next 5 days. The details of each day will be determined by the position of the front and movement of each low. Today, we start bright and very cold but clouds are already advancing into southwestern portions of the WHW forecast area and will overtake the sky across the remainder of the region through the morning. This afternoon and evening, a wave of low pressure passing by to our south will bring a swath of precipitation which starts as snow and transitions to rain from south to north, but with an interim period of sleet for some areas and where it remains cold enough over the interior, some freezing rain is likely. Minor snowfall accumulation and icing (where it occurs) will be enough for some hazardous travel, especially away from the coast, from late afternoon into late evening. After that low pressure wave goes by, it will drag the front, which tried to come through as a warm front, back to the south as a cold front, enough to allow a bubble of high pressure to be close enough for fair weather, but limited sun, during Wednesday. The front will begin to push back our way as a warm front again during Thursday with more cloudiness, though rain should remain mostly south of the region until the end of day or Thursday night. The next low pressure area will take a track similar to tonight’s as the frontal boundary is forced back to the south by eastern Canadian high pressure, bringing rain but some wintry mix potential for interior and northern areas into Friday before precipitation tapers off. The next low pressure area is set to track well to our north by later Saturday and should do its part to pull the boundary northward once again. That day should still feature a fair amount of clouds, but will turn out milder, but not without a rain shower chance.

TODAY: Clouding over. Snow/sleet southwest to northeast afternoon then transitions to sleet/rain southern areas late-day. Highs 32-39. Wind calm becoming E up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Snow/sleet to rain/freezing rain (inland) evening, ending overnight. Total snow accumulation before changeover, less than 1 inch South Coast, 1 to 3 inches elsewhere, with isolated 3+ amounts favoring higher elevations of north central MA as well as southern NH. Patchy fog forms. Temperatures steady 32-39 early then rise slightly. Wind variable up to 10 MPH early, becoming W late.

WEDNESDAY: Clouds break for sun. Fog patches early morning. Highs 42-49. Wind W up to 10 MPH becoming variable then SE by late-day.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows 32-39. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain arrives by late-day especially south of I-90. Highs 42-49, coolest coast. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Rain likely but pockets of sleet and freezing rain possible southern NH and northern MA overnight. Lows 32-39. Wind shifting to NE up to 10 MPH from north to south.

FRIDAY: Cloudy. Rain/ice/sleet morning-midday (freezing/frozen precipitation most likely inland and north). Areas of fog. Highs 35-42. Wind NE to N up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Foggy areas. Temperatures steady 35-42. Wind calm.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of a rain shower. Highs 42-47 South Coast, 48-53 elsewhere, occurring later in the day. Wind calm, becoming SW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 8-12)

The switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on March 8 (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT). Low pressure passes north of our region allow it to remain mild to start the period but two cold fronts come through with a downward temperature trend and maybe a couple passing rain showers into early next week, and after a brief cooler interlude the next storm system tracks well to the north with signs of a stronger southwesterly air flow and more pronounced warm-up for a couple days middle of next week. Frontal boundary from west end of period may bring a rain chance but not sure of timing on that this far in advance.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 13-17)

Colder trend with additional unsettled weather chances that can include wintry precipitation at mid month. Too soon for any details.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 2-6)

A frigid start to your day today with arctic air in place, and while we have about a 20-degree temperature rise during the day, that only brings high temps into the 20s, which is well below normal for early March. Dry weather will prevail as high pressure builds into the region. This high will be overhead tonight allowing another frigid night as we see radiational cooling, but things change quickly on Tuesday as the high slides offshore and low pressure approaches from the southwest. We should have the opportunity to view a selenelion total lunar eclipse (eclipsed moon, reddish in the western sky just before setting, while the sun comes over the horizon in the east) early Tuesday morning before clouds move in and thicken rapidly during the day, leading to an episode of precipitation – snow to rain, with some sleet and freezing rain possible during the transition, and some snow accumulation expected prior to the transition. This will take place as a frontal boundary moves slowly to the north across our region through the night, then slides back to the south overnight after the low pressure wave moves by and drier air ends the precipitation. This will lead to a precipitation-free day on Wednesday with some partial sun possible with a little bubble of high pressure passing by. The front will come back our way on Thursday with clouds thickening again, and rain at night as it turns a little milder, but just as low pressure is set to move through from the west that night into Friday, a push from eastern Canadian high pressure will send the boundary back to the south and colder air will come back, so our event that starts as rain can end up having some sleet and freezing rain involved in it during Friday before it all tapers off later in the day. Additional details will be worked out regarding this system over the next few days.

TODAY: A few passing clouds Outer Cape Cod until midday and some high clouds crossing the southern sky filtering the sun South Coast, otherwise sunny. Highs 23-30. Wind NW 5-15 MPH shifting to SW late.

TONIGHT: Clear. Lows -5 to +2 inland / valleys, 3-10 coast / urban areas. Wind calm.

TUESDAY: Clouding over. Snow/sleet arrives southwest to northeast afternoon. Highs 32-39. Wind calm becoming SE up to 10 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain in the evening – pockets of freezing rain possible in some locations. Temperatures steady 32-39 early then rise slightly. Wind variable up to 10 MPH early, becoming W late.

WEDNESDAY: Clouds break for sun. Fog patches early morning. Highs 42-49. Wind W up to 10 MPH becoming variable then SE by late-day.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows 32-39. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain arrives by late-day. Highs 42-49. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Rain likely but pockets of sleet and freezing rain possible southern NH and northern MA overnight. Lows 32-39. Wind shifting to NE up to 10 MPH from north to south.

FRIDAY: Cloudy with rain/ice/sleet morning-midday (freezing/frozen precipitation most likely inland and north). Breaking clouds possible later. Highs 35-42. Wind NE to N up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 7-11)

Frontal boundary pushes back north with milder air and a chance of rain showers on Saturday March 7. Low pressure moving by sends the front back to the south again Sunday March 8 with rain shower chance followed by clearing – mild start then colder later. Dry, chilly early next week before another warm-up occurs toward mid week. The switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on March 8 (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT).

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 12-16)

Briefly above normal temperatures with unsettled weather early in the period marking a switch back to near to below normal temperatures during mid March.

DAYS 1-5 (MARCH 1-5)

Mother Nature is getting set to give you an example of why “Meteorological Spring” does not automatically mean springlike-weather. After all, the first 19+ days of the it take place during winter. Our reminder comes in the form of an arctic cold front crossing the region today with a minor snow event, which also brings in a very cold air mass that will be with us through Monday and into early Tuesday too. Unlike last Monday, though, we won’t be dealing with any blizzards, just dry and very cold weather. Unsettled weather does make a return as we head to later Tuesday and early Wednesday as low pressure makes a run at the region form the southwest. This one brings milder air, so after our next round of precipitation starts as snow later Tuesday it transitions to sleet then rain (maybe a period of freezing rain for some areas depending on how quickly the surface temperature warms). A weak area of high pressure brings an interlude of drier weather from mid through late Wednesday, but as it stands now the boundary being nearby brings lots of clouds for Thursday. The midweek period will feature slightly milder air here.

TODAY: Cloudy morning-midday with a period of snow or snow showers west to east – accumulations of up to but mainly under 1 inch mostly on existing snowcover and unpaved / non-cement surfaces. Clearing with the return of sun west to east this afternoon. Highs 31-38. Wind W up to 10 MPH during the morning, NW 5-15 MPH with gusts 20-25 MPH this afternoon.

TONIGHT: Clear. Lows 3-10. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts in the evening. Wind chill often below 0.

MONDAY: Sunny. Highs 23-30. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts in the morning, diminishing later on.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows -5 to +2 inland / valleys, 3-10 coast / urban areas. Wind calm.

TUESDAY: Clouding over. Snow/sleet arrives southwest to northeast afternoon. Highs 32-39. Wind calm becoming SE up to 10 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain in the evening – pockets of freezing rain possible in some locations. Temperatures steady 32-39 early then rise slightly. Wind variable up to 10 MPH early, becoming W late.

WEDNESDAY: Clouds break for sun. Fog patches early morning. Highs 42-49. Wind W up to 10 MPH becoming variable then SE by late-day.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows 32-39. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 42-49. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 6-10)

Low level cold, upper level warm-up translates to a rain/ice/sleet chance as low pressure moves in March 6. Chance of getting into the warm sector to start next weekend (March 7) before a cold front brings back chilly weather to end the weekend (March 8) based on current timing and expected track of low pressure. Fair, chilly to seasonable weather late period as high pressure moves in. Note of reminder: The switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time takes place on March 8 (2:00 a.m. EST becomes 3:00 a.m. EDT).

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 11-15)

Looking for unsettled weather early period marking a transition from seasonably cool to above normal temperatures, but lasting for a brief period before colder weather makes a return at the end of the period as the volatile late winter pattern continues.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 4)

High pressure slides east of our region today and a milder southern air flow develops in its wake. Had we bare ground, the temperature would likely rise well beyond 50, but a deep snow pack in place, acting as a refrigerant, will modify the air. After we see some fog patches this morning due to the milder, slightly more moist air moving over that snow cover, we’ll see plenty of sunshine, and while it warms, the limitation due to snow cover will hold our high temps back to the middle 40s to lower 50s at warmest. There will even be a bit of a cooling influence from a southerly breeze off the water near the South Coast. The brief mild spell comes to an end in two stages this weekend, the first being with the passage of a cold front tonight. This will produce a few rain showers ahead of it and is an example of a cata-front (precipitation ahead of the boundary) although the vast majority of such activity will occur north of the WHW forecast area – there may be a brief one passing through parts of northern MA and southern NH. A secondary cold front, of arctic origin, and an example of an ana-front (precipitation behind the boundary) will take place on Sunday, and this will be what brings us a period of snow with generally minor accumulation from late morning to late afternoon – northwest to southeast. Very cold air will be with us Sunday night through early Tuesday with dry conditions as we get a visit from the arctic. The active weather pattern rolls on though and the next disturbance approaches later Tuesday with the advance of milder air, and I’m looking at a snow to sleet to rain situation for late Tuesday into a portion of Wednesday, the details of this still having to be worked out.

TODAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 42-49. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. An isolated rain shower possible in the evening, mainly north of Route 2. Watch for areas of black ice overnight from re-freezing melt-water. Lows 23-30. Wind NW 5-15 MPH with higher gusts early, diminishing overnight.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. A burst of snow/graupel possible from northwest to southeast late morning to midday followed by steadier light snow with accumulation of a coating to 2 inches, greatest in higher elevations, tapering off from northwest to southeast later in the day. Highs 30-37 in the morning followed by falling temperatures. Wind W 5-15 MPH shifting to NW 10-20 MPH, with higher gusts.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 5-12. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunny. Highs 23-30. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts, diminishing late.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 5-12. Wind calm.

TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Snow / sleet / rain late-day from west to east. Highs 33-40, occurring late-day. Wind N to E up to 10 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Mix to rain likely. Temperatures rise slightly to 35-42. Wind E to variable up to 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Cloudy start with rain ending, including areas of fog. Breaking clouds afternoon. Highs 40-47. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 5-9)

Unsettled stretch of weather with a frontal boundary in the area and waves of low pressure moving along it through mid period, then a drying trend. Temperatures variable, averaging close to normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 10-14)

Additional periods of unsettled weather. A brief warm up early and/or mid period with the potential for a cold shot late period.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 3)

High pressure brings fair weather and seasonable weather today followed by a milder Saturday to end the month of February and accelerate the snow-melt. But winter is not done with us yet, despite the “meteorological” version of it having its final day Saturday. An initial cold front will pass by that evening and will be moisture-starved, producing no more than a few isolated rain showers, but a stronger secondary cold front is inbound for Sunday, with more moisture to work with, and this one will produce a period of snow along and behind the boundary with some accumulation, also introducing much colder air. We then have a late-winter version of the deep freeze for Monday with arctic air in place, but with fair weather. Tuesday, clouds will increase ahead of what will be that frontal boundary attempting a return as a warm front, and we’ll have to watch the timing of an area of snow/mix to see if it arrives before Tuesday runs out of calendar time. TBD.

TODAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 35-42. Wind variable to S under 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 17-24. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 42-49. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. An isolated rain shower possible in the evening. Lows

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Lows 23-30. Wind W 5-15 MPH, higher gusts.

SUNDAY: Cloudy. Snow of a coating to 1 inch coastal plain and 1 to 3 inches inland – greatest amount in higher elevations. Highs 30-37. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 6-13. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Sunny. Highs 23-30. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts, diminishing late.

MONDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 5-12. Wind calm.

TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of snow/mix at night. Highs 33-40. Wind N up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 4-8)

Unsettled stretch of weather with a frontal boundary in the area and waves of low pressure moving along it. Timing of greatest threats of precipitation are to-be-determined, but the entire period is vulnerable. Temperatures near to below normal but can be somewhat variable.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 9-13)

Fair weather is back for early in the period before additional unsettled weather. Brief warming trend potential in here.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 26 – MARCH 2)

February’s got 3 days left in it, and they’ll give us mainly fair weather and manageable temperatures. However, there is a word of caution for this morning – and hopefully you’re reading this before you go outside, because depending on your location there can be some very slippery untreated surfaces out there due to freeze-up of snow-melt, and in some areas additional moisture on the ground from a batch of convective showers ranging from snow to sleet to freezing rain around midnight, which was occuring with the passage of a cold front. This front trailed from the low pressure area that sent its warm front through earlier Wednesday with a batch of snow (light accumulations) and some rain to the south. Other than the icy ground and some patchy freezing fog this morning, we’ll see a day of fair weather today, but some clouds will increase in the sky as we move through the afternoon, especially to the south, as a low pressure area starts to move by to our south. It looks like its snow shield will stay just offshore of the South Coast through this evening before the system moves away and high pressure builds in with fair, cool weather on Friday. On Saturday, the final day of the month, a moisture-starved cold front will move through with some passing clouds, but I am not expecting any precipitation to occur with this one. Sunday, the first day of March, another disturbance will move through during the morning and midday, and this one will have some moisture to work with – the result being a period of snow and mixed precipitation. And the active pattern continues Monday as another low pressure area passes just to our south bringing clouds, but probably keeping its precipitation offshore of the South Coast, similar to what occurs late today. I’ll keep an eye on that in case it trends further north.

TODAY: Sun then clouds increase. Highs 35-42. Wind W to N up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clouds then clearing. Lows 5-12 except 13-20 coastal and urban areas. Wind calm.

FRIDAY: Sunshine dominates. Highs 33-40. Wind variable to S under 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 17-24. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Sunny to partly cloudy. Highs 37-44. Wind SW 5-15 MPH shifting to NW.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Lows 17-24. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Cloudy with snow likely in the morning, then increasing sun in the afternoon. Highs 28-35. Wind NE 5-15 MPH morning, NW 10-20 MPH afternoon.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Lows 11-18. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Clouding over. Highs 24-31. Wind W to variable up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 3-7)

Boundary between milder south and colder north with active jet stream means unsettled weather chances March 4 and again March 6-7, based on current timing expectations. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 8-12)

Unsettled weather potentials start and end the period with fair weather between, which may include a brief warming trend.

DAYS 1-5 (FEBRUARY 25 – MARCH 1)

Interesting early morning temperature distribution in the region. The sky stayed clear longer overnight in a portion of southeastern MA (especially Plymouth County) with calm wind and perfect conditions for radiational cooling. As of 6:00 a.m. the temperatures were below 10 in much of that region, but quickly ranged up to the 20s many other areas, even some lower 30s nearer the South Coast. The coldest will be eliminated fairly quickly as some weather changes take place during this morning. Low pressure travels north of our region today and early tonight. Its warm front produces a period of snow this morning except mix/rain into this afternoon on Cape Cod, and its cold front can bring a shower of snow/mix north, mix/rain south from west to east across the region this evening. A small area of high pressure brings a fair weather interlude during the day Thursday before a low pressure wave travels south of our region at night. This system may be close enough to produce a quick period of light snow near the South Coast, but should otherwise be more “miss” than “hit”. Fair weather returns for Friday and continues into Saturday, but a strong cold front coming through the region later Saturday may produce a rain or snow shower in some locations, leading to a shot of windy, cold, dry weather as March begins on Sunday.

TODAY: Cloudy morning and midday with a period of snow of up to but mostly under 1 inch, except mix/rain South Coast / Cape Cod with no accumulation, followed by breaking clouds from west to east. Highs 32-39, coldest central MA to mildest Cape Cod area. Wind variable up to 10 MPH this morning becoming SW 5-15 MPH with a few higher gusts this afternoon.

TONIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy with a possible shower of snow / sleet north of I-90, sleet / rain I-90 southward mid evening to a little after midnight from west to east. Lows 25-32. Wind SW 5-15 MPH with higher gusts, shifting to NW.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 35-42. Wind NW to N up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. A period of snow possible near the South Coast. Lows 22-29. Wind N to NE up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Early clouds, then sun returns. Highs 33-40. Wind N to NW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 17-24. Wind NW to W up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Plenty of sun, then late clouds with a rain or snow shower possible. Highs 37-44. Wind W to SW increasing to 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy with a snow shower possible early, then clearing. Lows 15-22. Wind shifting to NW 15-25 MPH.

SUNDAY: Sun and passing clouds. Highs 25-32. Wind NW 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.

DAYS 6-10 (MARCH 2-6)

Wave of low pressure passes close by or to south March 2 – precipitation threat but may just miss area. Additional disturbances bring precipitation opportunities March 4 and 6, based on current timing in an active pattern. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (MARCH 7-11)

Active pattern with additional unsettled weather possibilities. More prominent temperature variability may occur depending on tracks of weather system as we will be near a general boundary between milder air to the south and cold air in Canada.