DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 21-25)

In case you forgot, summer officially arrives today – solstice 10:57 a.m.! Early this morning a blanket of stratus clouds covers the rising sun from the Merrimack Valley northward, save for a few breaks in the overcast, while a veil of high clouds filters it somewhat along the South Coast, and some stratus patches have also made their way into MA East Coast locations, with a few more patches of stratus in northwestern RI and northeastern CT too. The patchy stratus will dissipate as the high-angle sun rises into the sky, and the more extensive stratus deck to the north will initially be fed by the eastern MA stratus which can increase for a while into mid morning, but otherwise will begin break up before undergoing a transformation into diurnal cumulus clouds as morning becomes afternoon. The onshore flow should eventually prevent these from forming over the coastal plain. Some of the cumulus may grow enough to produce a few showers over the interior higher elevations from southwestern NH through central MA and perhaps as far southeast as northwestern RI, but these will quickly dissipate with the setting sun. With high pressure sliding into the waters to our east, a light east to southeast air flow will allow additional patches of stratus to form tonight as the aforementioned shield of high clouds to the south starts a northward trend. That cloud area, associated with low pressure and a warm front to our south, will thicken as the day goes along Thursday, but right now I expect any of the showers associated with the warm front to struggle against dry air and hold off until late evening or overnight / early hours of Friday. That front will continue a slow northward push and Friday, once prognosticated by model guidance to be a summery day with sunshine and highs of 90+ will actually end up as a mainly cloudy day in the 70s with rain showers. Our weekend is so-so as it stands now. I think the warm front does lift northward through the region by Saturday, with both days at least having a shot of 80+ in all but immediate coastal areas, especially the South Coast, where a southerly air flow will keep those locations sub-80 for high temps. Higher humidity will be noticeable, as we haven’t had much of it so far. Also, it’ll be unsettled, not in the way it was last weekend with upper level and surface low pressure plaguing the region, but this time just from pop up showers and possible thunderstorms, which will become more numerous on Sunday as a cold front slowly approaches from the west…

TODAY: Sun/cloud variety. A pop up shower possible southwestern NH, central MA, and northwestern RI this afternoon. Highs 70-77, coolest coast. Wind E up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Lows 55-62. Wind ESE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs 70-77, coolest coast. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Showers possible in southern areas especially South Coast. Lows 60-67. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers. Highs 72-79, coolest South Coast. Dew point nearing 60. Wind SE-S 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers evening. Lows 62-69. Dew point near 60. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs 77-84. Dew point 60+. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Isolated showers. Patchy fog forming. Lows 62-69. Dew point 60+. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75-82. Dew point 60+. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 26-30)

Upper level low pressure lifts from the Great Lakes through southeastern Canada, and we’ll be in a southerly air flow with a slow-moving frontal boundary the first part of next week with periodic showers/thunderstorms. This system loses grip with improving weather by later in the week. Temperatures below to near normal.

DAYS 11-15 (JULY 1-5)

There’s a lot of uncertainty in this forecast for the early days of July. Oftentimes it can be really hard to see a persistent pattern just vanish, and I don’t think we’ll see that, but I also don’t think it’ll be as unsettled as previously. I see a few hints that a Rex-type block may return. We have to watch eastern Canada for high pressure, which if strong enough, can trend the region drier but also prevent significant heat. If such a high is too far north, unsettled weather can sneak in as there will still be a tendency for upper level troughing in the Great Lakes to Mid Atlantic, and if, though less likely, the high ended up pushing further south, the door could open up for hotter weather. I see that final “option” as least likely though. Will monitor and give this outlook a better shot in the coming days. For now, I’d lean toward a drier overall pattern with temperatures below to near normal.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 20-24)

The final full day of spring will feel like mid spring with below normal temperatures, lots of clouds, and a shower chance from a passing upper level disturbance. An onshore flow will prevail, setting us up for a low clouds and patchy fog tonight after any showers have dissipated. As a transient Rex block sends high pressure this way and pushes low pressure to the south at midweek, we’ll have fair weather, for a short time, and a warming trend of sorts – not to summer heat levels for sure even as we welcome summer with the solstice at 10:57 a.m. Wednesday. A light wind field allows a sea breeze to get going Wednesday, and while Thursday will be a warmer day overall, a more southeast to south wind will still have an ocean component for most coastal areas, keeping them cooler. Wildcard for Thursday is that recent trends in guidance have been to advance clouds and a shower threat more quickly. For now I haven’t jumped on this trend, but know that it may not end up as sunny as my forecast currently indicates, and that in a worst-case scenario, if that guidance is correct, we may end up seeing showers arrive for at least southern areas before the day has ended. Later this week, we’re back in a low pressure trough with a warm front pushing through Friday including the chance of showers and an increase in humidity into Saturday, which will carry the chance of showers and thunderstorms, but at least it’ll have a bit more of the feel of summer with higher humidity. 😉

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Isolated to scattered showers. Highs 66-73, coolest coast. Wind E up to 10 MPH

TONIGHT: Low clouds, patchy fog. Lows 52-59. Wind E under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Low clouds and patchy fog give way to sun. Highs 70-77, coolest coast. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes developing.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 54-61. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunshine, some clouds later. Highs 76-83, coolest coastal areas. Wind SE up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Showers possible in southern areas especially South Coast. Lows 60-67. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers. Highs 75-82. Dew point nearing 60. Wind SE-S 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers evening. Lows 62-69. Dew point near 60. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs 77-84. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 25-29)

A series of troughs / upper lows will be around, centered mostly to the west, with a humid and unsettled pattern with daily chances for showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures near to slightly below normal. This is not a “rainy every day” pattern, as there will be dry times too, but too early to work out a more detailed forecast.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 30 – JULY 4)

A more relaxed version of the 6-10 day pattern is expected for the 11-15 day period, still seeing opportunities for showers and thunderstorms at times with no significant heat.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 19-23)

A pattern change of sorts is underway – more like a pattern readjustment, because there will be some things that are similar to recent weather and some differences as well. Let’s try to sort that out for these 5 days. Upper level low pressure still has control over the weather early this week. It’s a weaker version of what we had during the weekend, but it’s still enough to result in unsettled weather at times in terms of scattered shower activity later today, tonight, and again Tuesday. While this is happening, a high pressure ridge to the north, completing a Rex block set-up (high over low) will start to push southward and accomplish the task of drying us out for midweek, along with a warming trend. We welcome summer with the solstice, which occurs Wednesday at 10:57 a.m., and we’ll have more of the feel of that season Wednesday and especially Thursday when more of a westerly wind will occur after coastal sea breezes Wednesday. By Friday, a deeper southwesterly air flow will overtake the region as high pressure sits to the south and southeast, and it will be a warm day, but also a more humid one. Medium range guidance is split on whether or not any pop up showers / thunderstorms can occur Friday, but at day 5 I think a call for isolated ones is reasonable with increased moisture and solar heating combined that day.

TODAY: Cloud/sun mix and some high altitude smoke in the sky as well. Isolated showers possible mid to late afternoon. Highs 67-74, coolest coast. Wind variable to E up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Scattered showers. Lows 53-60. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Isolated to scattered showers. Highs 66-73, coolest coast. Wind E up to 10 MPH

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 52-59. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 70-77, coolest coast. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes developing.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 54-61. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Highs 78-85 except cooler Cape Cod and some other coastal points. Wind W up to 10 MPH but still some weak coastal sea breezes can develop.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 60-67. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated afternoon showers/thunderstorms possible. Highs 83-90, cooler South Coast. Dew point rising over 60. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 24-28)

The June 24-25 weekend looks humid and somewhat more unsettled. A southwesterly to southerly air flow around offshore high pressure will carry more moisture, but activity should be isolated to scattered and favor inland areas Saturday and become scattered to numerous Sunday as a frontal boundary approaches from the northwest, focusing the moisture. This leads to what looks like an unsettled first half of next week with upper level low pressure in the Great Lakes / Ohio Valley, high pressure offshore, and a frontal boundary in the region, resulting in occasional showers and thunderstorms.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 29 – JULY 3)

This isn’t high confidence, but expecting the unsettled pattern of early next week to break down into a weak zonal flow pattern heading to the end of June and start of July, but still with a tendency for a low pressure trough to be located in the interior Northeast / Great Lakes / Ohio Valley areas, which can still provide the opportunity for showers and thunderstorms at times, but also keeps us from getting into significant heat as well. Later in the period, however, we can be vulnerable to a push of much drier air from Canada, which can result from a stronger ridge in the Upper Midwest inducing a northwesterly air flow from eastern Canada to New England.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 18-22)

We’ve made it through the worst of June. And despite the dramatic flare of the majority of the population to make it seem like we’ve been in the “worst pattern ever” since the beginning of time, it was hardly that. It was an unsettled and cool 2-week pattern with a few very nice days sprinkled in there. You survived it. Next time, people should try doing so without whining – it’s less stressful. Ok, snark aside, we are going to see improvement going forward, but it’s slow at first. Today is the day the low pressure system that got around to soaking Saturday for most of the region starts to pull away, and dry air starts to work in on its back side. But it’ll be unstable enough that we still have to watch for a few light showers to develop on its western flank at departure. But despite this, some breaks of sun can develop and while it doesn’t turn into a warm day, it’ll be milder than Saturday. As we head into the beginning of the week, the pattern will enter a Rex block (similar to the pattern for the end of May) but it’s going to be transient, i.e. short-lived. This pattern features high pressure sinking from southern Canada into the US Northeast while a low pressure trough is held at bay in the Mid Atlantic, giving them a long stretch of unsettled and cool weather into next week, but preventing it from moving up and continuing a similar pattern for our area. During this pattern, we’ll have weak high pressure moving in, but centered north enough that a light easterly air flow will dominate Monday and Tuesday. Just enough instability will be around that an isolated shower can pop up mainly over the interior higher elevations Monday afternoon, and with the help of a weak disturbance passing through at upper levels on Tuesday, a few afternoon showers can occur anywhere in the region. By Wednesday, high pressure will be right overhead, and a sunnier day will help usher in summer 2023 with the solstice occurring at 10:57 a.m.. Coastal areas will end up a little cooler with an afternoon sea breeze as a result of a weak wind field under the high pressure area, but expect a very pleasant day. On Thursday, the summer switch will be flicked on, just in time for the first full day of the new season, with lots of sun and a warmer west wind.

TODAY: Lots of clouds, but breaks of sun becoming more likely with time. Chance of quick passing showers. Highs 66-73. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clouds dominant but breaks large enough to see some stars too. Lows 52-59. Wind NE under 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Partial sun. A couple pop up showers southwestern NH and central MA in the afternoon, favoring the higher terrain locations. Highs 67-74, coolest at the coast. Wind E up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 58-65. Wind E to variable under 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated showers. Highs 68-75, coolest coast. Wind E up to 10 MPH becoming variable.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 52-59. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 75-82, coolest coast. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes developing.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 55-62. Wind variable to W up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Highs 80-87 except cooler Cape Cod. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 23-27)

Dry with warm sunshine for June 23 with high pressure over and south of the region and a westerly air flow. The June 24-25 weekend turns more humid with fair weather to start and potential shower/storms to end it. Unsettled weather with a frontal boundary in the vicinity later in the period, along with a cooling trend. This is not a return to the blocking / unsettled pattern we had, but part of a transition from the temporary Rex blog to a zonal flow pattern.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 28 – JULY 2)

A zonal flow pattern is expected with seasonable temperatures averaging from typical variability. A weak mean trough will oscillate from the upper Midwest and Great Lakes to the interior Northeast and this does provide a couple shower/thunderstorm opportunities with passing disturbances, but the overall pattern looks dry, not wet, heading toward early July.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 17-21)

On this final weekend of spring, the weather will feel a bit more like April / May than the middle of June. You can thank a low pressure system comprised of an upper low traversing the region from west to east while a surface low does a loop just to our east / northeast. While there have been enough dry slots in the rainfall pattern to keep some areas rain-free to start today, eventually this activity will fill in more, and a much larger portion of the region will be covered by showery rain and embedded downpours (maybe with a bit of thunder?) as we head through the afternoon / evening. Activity seems to want to focus heaviest in southeastern NH and eastern MA. A widespread swath of back-lash rain/drizzle will soak the region overnight, but when we get into Sunday this will pull away quickly as drier air works in behind the departing low, which will then be moving eastward. I’m not expecting complete clearing on Sunday but we may see some breaks in the clouds and can’t rule out a couple of intervals of sun in some areas. However, with enough atmospheric instability in place there can still be a couple of pop up showers, but these will be isolated, and far more than exception than the rule – also fairly light and quickly passing where occurring. By the time we get to Monday, the low’s gone and weak high pressure has moved in with fair weather. I’m removing the shower threat from the forecast that I had before, but a weak wind field means coastal areas will likely develop a sea breeze under partial sun, and be cooler than inland areas which can warm up a bit more efficiently. It is on Tuesday when we may see a few showers pop up with a weak disturbance moving through the region on the final full day of spring. The summer solstice occurs at 10:57 a.m. on Wednesday, and fittingly, that looks like a mostly sunny and warm day with high pressure in control, but having sunk just far enough to the south to promote a warming westerly wind.

TODAY: Overcast. Shower frequency and coverage increases with time. Isolated thunderstorms embedded in some of the heavier shower areas. Patchy fog forming. Highs 59-66 morning, cooling slightly this afternoon. Wind E to NE increasing to 5-15 MPH, higher gusts near the coast.

TONIGHT: Overcast with areas of fog. Widespread showers with isolated embedded thunderstorms possible. Lows 52-59. Wind NE to N 5-15 MPH, higher gusts possible near the coast.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of a passing shower. Highs 63-70. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 55-62 Wind NE under 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Partial sunshine. Highs 67-74, coolest coast. Wind E 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 58-65. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated showers. Highs 68-75, coolest coast. Wind E up to 10 MPH becoming variable.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 52-59. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 75-82. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 22-26)

High pressure sinks just to the south with dry weather and an interlude of warm to very warm air June 22-24. The end of the period cools and turns more unsettled as a frontal boundary enters the region with showers and possible thunderstorms.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 27 – JULY 1)

A more zonal (west to east) flow pattern takes over. A frontal boundary may be hanging about in the region early in the period before the trend is dry. Temperatures mostly near normal.

COMMENTARY

We’ll have a little taste of summer today, and does it come as a surprise? Probably to many, and I’ll tell you why. The tendency in media these days, and as a result the tendency in many people, is to focus on the dramatic or the negative, or a combination of the two. Yes, our pattern has been anything but ideal, in terms of the majority of folk’s likings, for the first half of June. The first 15 days in Boston for example, are averaging about 2 1/2 degrees to the cooler side of normal, and we’ve had more than our share of clouds and wet weather, and oh no, here it comes again! A lousy weekend! But hold on a moment. I do realize that not every person will be able to be outside all day today to enjoy what is a really nice summer day, but hey, the calendar may technically still say spring, but today’s going to be a really nice summer day. But it’s almost like nobody said it was even going to happen, or noticed that some of our media did actually try to point it out. Example: A local station’s meteorologist did talk about today’s nice weather for most of the day until clouds took over late, and high temps in the lower 80s for many areas and even middle 80s for some. But the anchors, in coming off listening to the side, if they were listening at all, immediately began to lament about how bad our weekend was going to be. “A washout, cold miserable weekend!” No, no, actually it’s not going to be a washed out cold and miserable weekend. Saturday is going to be a wet and cool days, yes. That part is true. Sunday shows improvement in the forecast – no, not warm and sunny, but not nearly as wet as Saturday, and even some potential for sun to break out. But they didn’t say that, even though their colleague a few feet away had. They just focused on the worst of it, and dramatized it, and the viewer, if not keen to the now very common practice, came away with the feeling that the next 3 days are simply going to suck… Something needs to change in media – but I’m not holding my breath for it.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 16-20)

Well I already gave away the general forecast for the next 3 days in my commentary, but let’s take a look at how that’s going to happen before we move on. We’re in a weak and small high pressure ridge between departed low pressure to our east northeast and approaching low pressure from the west. And that is enough to provide us with a fairly nice day. Although our sunshine will be filtered once again by a plume of high-altitude smoke as the Canadian fire season rolls on. At least this time it won’t be surface smoke and will just give the sky a hazy, more classic “summer’s of old” look. And while today won’t be hot by the usual standards, it may feel that way with the high June sun angle and the temperatures cracking 80 for most areas, with a hint of higher humidity creeping back in. Dew points will rise over 60 along the coast and toward 60 over inland locations as the day goes on. Cumulus clouds will pop up in the daytime heating and a few isolated showers/downpours can occur with these by afternoon. We finally lose they sun later in the day to a thicker canopy of clouds, and the increased moisture, with the help of a surface boundary migrating northward, can kick off a scattered to broken band of showers, a few of which can be heavy, this evening before dark, especially west of Boston. So while most of the day is rain-free, if you do have evening plans, keep this in mind. And then things change more drastically overnight through Saturday as an upper lever low pressure area moves into the region. This system is actually the combination of a trough from the west and the remains of an old upper low hanging out sneakily over southeastern Canada. They join and send a weak surface low into cyclonic loop mode, just to our south and east, and in the place to deliver cool and wet weather to us for Saturday with frequent showers, some of which can be on the heavier side as well. Temperatures as a result of the heavy cloud cover and east to northeast wind will be below normal as the saturated air comes off the chilly ocean. By Sunday, both the upper and surface lows will begin an eastward departure, and while the day starts damp and somewhat showery, we see improvement and rain-free conditions take over, with some potential cloud breaks, maybe enough for intervals of sun to develop before day’s end. However, I can’t rule out an additional pop up shower in the afternoon, but with indications this would most likely be in the higher terrain of southwestern NH and central MA with the help of a little more solar heating combined with lingering cold air above and a little lifting of air by the hills. Don’t cancel any outdoor plans you have for Sunday afternoon based on this, however. So there’s your weekend – certainly not the best, and not the worst either, but less than ideal, for sure. Onto next week, and early in the week we will see evidence of a shift in the pattern, albeit subtly at first. High pressure ridging that has spent a lot of time in central Canada will expand eastward into east central Canada and strengthen somewhat, and this will push low pressure that wants to linger just to our south and east a little further away. We will still have some lingering cold air aloft Monday and with a weak disturbance moving through we can still see a few showers pop up, but this is likely to be very limited. A general onshore flow will keep the coast coolest that day. A little more influence from high pressure will mean a dry day for Tuesday, but with a general easterly flow for the region the coastal areas will still be noticeably cooler than interior locations.

TODAY: Smoke-filtered sun, giving way to clouds later on in the day. An isolated shower possible by afternoon. Scattered showers favoring areas west of Boston by early evening. Highs 77-84 except cooler in coastal areas. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes through mid afternoon, then SE 5-15 MPH by evening.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Showers increasing in frequency and coverage. Isolated thunderstorms possible. Patchy fog forming overnight. Lows 55-62. Wind SE to E 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY: Cloudy. Frequent showers with areas of drizzle and fog. Isolated heavier showers with the potential for a few thunderstorms embedded. Highs 58-65, coolest eastern coastal areas. Wind E to NE 5-15 MPH higher gusts especially near the coast.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Showers likely, with areas of drizzle and fog. Lows 51-58. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Cloudy morning with scattered showers and areas of fog favoring eastern coastal locations. Breaking clouds afternoon with a slight chance of a pop up shower over interior higher elevations. Highs 65-72. Wind N 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 55-62 Wind N under 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers. Highs 68-75. Wind variable to E up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 58-65. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Highs 68-75, coolest coast. Wind E 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 21-25)

We welcome summer not only with the solstice, which occurs at 10:57 a.m. on June 21, as well as a more noticeable pattern shift, with high pressure in eastern Canada and the Northeast keeping upper level low pressure off to the southwest. This results in generally fair and more seasonable weather heading from the middle to latter portion of next week.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 26-30)

A more zonal (west to east) flow pattern takes over. A frontal boundary may be hanging about in the region early in the last week of the month, bringing an increased shower and thunderstorm chance, before high pressure gains control with dry weather. Temperatures closer to seasonable levels, but still not seeing any signs of major heat for the region at this point.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 15-19)

Low pressure gets to our east today and a little high pressure ridge sneaks in tonight into Friday. Enough cold air aloft today can support a couple isolated afternoon showers mainly across southern NH and northeastern MA, but for the most part the day will be dry for our region, including more sun eventually mixed with the clouds associated with the departing low pressure area. Friday should be a day that starts sunnier but ends with more clouds as the next trough and low will be on the approach. This is not good news for the weekend, especially Saturday, when upper low pressure goes right over us, and surface low pressure does a short cyclonic loop just south of us, bringing a cloudy and wet day with below normal temperatures. Only slight improvement is noted for Sunday as drier air arrives on the back side of that system which will start to move to the east. When we get to Monday it’s time for the start of a kind-of Rex block with high pressure in eastern Canada and a trough just to our southwest and south. We can still see showers around Monday with some chilly air above us and a weak disturbance in the area.

TODAY: Lots of clouds in portions of the region early to mid morning, otherwise a sun/cloud mix. An isolated shower possible southern NH and northern MA this afternoon. Highs 72-79, may be a little cooler in some coastal areas. Wind NW up to 10 MPH but coastal sea breeze are possible.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog. Lows 55-62. Wind W under 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Sun gives way to clouds. Highs 75-82, cooler coast. Wind SW up to 10 MPH but again coastal sea breezes possible.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Showers and thunderstorms arriving. Patchy fog. Lows 55-62. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Cloudy. Periods of rain. Areas of fog and drizzle. Highs 58-65. Wind E 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Areas of fog and drizzle. Lows 51-58. Wind NE up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Chance of showers. Highs 67-74. Wind N up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 55-62 Wind N under 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers. Highs 68-75. Wind variable to E up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 20-24)

Rex block pattern for a few days with high pressure strong enough to keep wet weather to the south, but the break down of the pattern may allow wet weather to push back into the region late in the period. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 25-29)

Flip to a more zonal flow pattern with a couple shower chances, and “warmer” weather, but no major heat.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 14-18)

Two low pressure systems will impact our weather over the next 5 days. The first brings a shower and thunderstorm threat later today / tonight, but the greatest threat of severe storms is going to occur to our west and northwest, away from the influence of a stabilizing southerly wind off the ocean water to the south, and where there is a better combo of dynamics / heating. However, can’t rule out some stronger storms further east especially this evening before things quiet down later tonight. The first low gets to our east Thursday but enough cold air lingers aloft that a few pop up showers and maybe even an isolated thunderstorm can occur, favoring southern and central to eastern MA, later in the afternoon or early evening. Friday’s weather will hold another shower and thunderstorm chance in the afternoon and evening as another low pressure area moves toward the area from the west. This low likely stacks with its upper level partner and temporarily slows down enough to mess up at least part of the weekend. Indications are for a mainly cloudy and damp Saturday with some rainfall around – maybe not all day but enough to alter many outdoor plans, then some improvement but still the chance of diurnal shower development on Sunday. Temperatures will be a little closer to normal today through Friday before cooling back to below normal during the coming weekend.

TODAY: Low overcast and areas of fog east central and northeastern MA to southeastern NH early otherwise a sun/cloud mix with clouds taking over late. Late-day and evening showers and thunderstorms probable in the region – any storms can be strong to locally severe, favoring western areas. Highs 75-82. Wind S 5-15 MPH. Winds can be variable, strong, and gusty near any storms.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms likely evening – any thunderstorms potentially severe. Partly cloudy with areas of fog overnight. Lows 58-65. Wind variable to W up to 10 MPH. Winds can be briefly strong and gusty near any storms.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated afternoon showers and a possible thunderstorm, favoring southern NH and eastern MA mid afternoon on. Highs 72-79. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog. Lows 55-62. Wind W under 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered to numerous afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs 71-78. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Areas of fog and drizzle. Lows 55-62. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Showers likely. Areas of fog and drizzle. Highs 62-69. Wind E-NE up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Areas of fog and drizzle. Lows 55-62. Wind NE up to 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Chance of showers. Highs 67-74. Wind N up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 19-23)

Current leaning for next week is a Rex block pattern with high pressure close enough for mainly dry weather, keeping unsettled weather to our south. This is a drier pattern with no major heat.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 24-28)

Wet weather early in the period introduces a more zonal pattern with more seasonable temperatures and a couple shower/thunderstorm chances.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 13-17)

The larger scale pattern features continued domination by upper level low pressure over our region, with one moving from the Great Lakes across New England through early Thursday, exiting, and being replaced by a follow-up Friday into the start of the weekend. For our region this means continued unsettled weather. It doesn’t rain all the time, but there are daily opportunities for showers, some more substantial than others. While it doesn’t look it when you start the day today, this is an improvement day, but it will be somewhat subtle. We start our with a few lingering sprinkles but a thick overcast with areas of fog and drizzle, but a dry slot will be working in as surface low pressure lifts away from the region. This will help begin a clearing process, so the clouds will thin and break, but complete clearing is likely be prevented by a southeast to east air flow at the surface. Some partial clearing but patchy fog redevelopment is expected tonight, and clouds will become dominant again Wednesday with the approach of the next surface disturbance around the upper low. This one carries dynamics to produce more potent showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening, with a low but present risk of severe thunderstorms occurring, so we’ll have to keep a close eye on the evolution of the weather tomorrow. This system exits by early Thursday as the upper low starts to pull out, so while the cold air lingering aloft still allows for a shower chance, the activity will be quite limited due to a drying process both at low and mid levels of the atmosphere. This doesn’t last long, as both the next upper and surface lows approach on Friday with an increased chance of showers and possible thunderstorms once again. The forecast for Saturday is a little lower confidence due to the difficulty in trying to forecast upper low departure to begin with, and the inconsistency of guidance designed to help the effort. Right now, I feel the upper low and a surface low will be close enough for a damp early Saturday followed by drying, but any solar heating helping scattered showers to pop up, so in summation, an unsettled day at best.

TODAY: Cloudy with a few showers and areas of drizzle and fog to start, then breaking clouds at times with only a slight chance of a brief shower. Highs 68-75. Dew point 60+ at least through midday may drop later. Wind SE 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Areas of fog. Lows 55-62. Wind variable under 10 MPH,.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Showers/thunderstorms likely later in the day. Any storms can be strong to locally severe. Highs 73-80. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then breaking clouds but areas of fog. Lows 58-65. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated afternoon showers. Highs 72-79. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog. Lows 55-62. Wind W under 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs 71-78. Wind W 5-15 MPH becoming variable.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers. Areas of fog and drizzle. Lows 55-62. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Cloudy start with areas of drizzle and fog, then breaking clouds and partial sun but also a chance of showers. Highs 68-75. Wind variable to N up to 10 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 18-22)

Upper level low pressure still close enough for a shower chance June 18. Evolution of pattern after that looks like a temporary Rex block with high pressure across eastern Canada into the New England region with a drying trend while low pressure gets pushed to the south – but must keep an eye on it as it won’t be far away. Despite drying, any warm up will be modest.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 23-27)

Not a high confidence forecast but signs of a rather quick Rex block break down and switch to a zonal flow pattern with a weak mean trough in the Great Lakes and Northeast. Resultant weather is a couple shower/t-storm chances and no major heat for the first days of summer.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 12-16)

Another week / another upper low. Yes once again our weather for the balance of the coming week will be governed by upper level low pressure. Initially this upper low will be to our west a little longer than the last one, and we’ll be in a southwesterly air flow ahead of it through Wednesday. During this time, two main disturbances will impact our weather, the first tonight into Tuesday in the form of a frontal system parented from surface low pressure passing to our northwest. The warm front will move into and through the region tonight with some showers and possibly a thunderstorm, followed by its cold front early Tuesday with additional showers and a few storms possible, but this front will be in the process of dissipating as it runs out of push, becoming parallel to the air flow and the air mass behind it modifying to very similar to what’s ahead of it. Some clearing will occur later Tuesday as a swath of drier air moves in. The next disturbance rotating around the upper low will bring another shot at showers and thunderstorms Wednesday, mainly in the afternoon and evening, and pending the timing and heating ahead of these, some may be strong to severe. I’ll need to fine-tune that through tomorrow’s updates/comments. Thursday’s a quieter day but can’t rule out a pop up shower as the upper low moves eastward and we’re under its cold pool, and this will be the case Friday as well with a better shot at pop up showers and even a few thunderstorms with the aid of an additional disturbance moving through.

TODAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Highs 68-75 South Coast, 75-82 elsewhere. Dew point around or just over 60. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Cloudy. Showers likely and a possible thunderstorm late evening on. Areas of fog overnight. Lows 60-67. Dew point near or just over 60. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm early, then mostly cloudy with isolated to scattered showers through midday. Clearing with more sun late. Highs 68-75. Dew point 60+ at least through midday may drop later. Wind S-SW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 55-62. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Showers/thunderstorms likely later in the day. Any storms can be strong to locally severe. Highs 73-80. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with showers and thunderstorms in the evening, then breaking clouds but areas of fog. Lows 58-65. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated afternoon showers. Highs 72-79. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Areas of fog. Lows 55-62. Wind W under 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs 71-78. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 17-21)

The June 17-18 weekend will still feature upper level low pressure, though it will be slowly exiting and weakening, but there can still be a few pop up showers around each day. A brief break, then the next disturbance ends spring and ushers in summer with a chance of showers later in the period.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 22-26)

A general west to east flow, lack of blocking, but tendency for troughing still to be in place, bringing a couple unsettled weather chances but keeping major heat away.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 11-15)

People often react like weather patterns that they don’t like last forever. Well, they don’t. And even the general pattern of cool and more recently quite unsettled weather won’t last forever, but for now, we’re still not done with it. The same general pattern dominates, but there are breaks, like today. We have a small ridge of high pressure traversing the region to provide a dry, warmer day today. It’s not going to be “summer hot” but it will be quite nice for many to be outside, between that “it’s too cool” and “it’s too hot” feel. Enjoy if you can, it doesn’t last. Another upper low is heading this way and will dominate our weather from later Monday through midweek. First it brings a showery episode Monday night into Tuesday morning then occasional shower episodes later Tuesday and another later Wednesday. When we get to Thursday, we’ll be under a cold pool aloft with just some diurnal pop up shower activity, similar to what we saw the last couple days.

TODAY: Mostly sunny through midday then increasing clouds thereafter. Highs 73-80, coolest coast. Wind W up to 10 MPH, but some coastal sea breezes likely.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 55-62. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs 72-79, coolest South Coast. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Showers likely and a possible thunderstorm late evening on. Areas of fog overnight. Lows 60-67. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Cloudy with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm early, then mostly cloudy with isolated to scattered showers. Highs 68-75. Dew point above 60. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 55-62. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny morning-midday. Mostly cloudy later in the day with showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Highs 70-77. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy with showers in the evening, then breaking clouds but areas of fog. Lows 58-65. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated to scattered showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Highs 68-75. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 16-20)

No major pattern changes as we head through the final 5 days of spring, but after a few diurnal showers June 16, the timing may be such that a stretch of fair weather coincides with the June 17-18 weekend before the next trough and shower chance arrives.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 21-25)

Just in time for summer, the blocked nature of the large scale pattern breaks down, but the general pattern is likely to be troughs on both coasts and ridge in the central USA (the forecast of the general pattern for the first part of summer). This would mean more seasonable weather but still some shower chances, and no major heat, for our region.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 10-14)

The temperature and dew point met each other overnight in many areas, causing areas of fog, some of it quite dense. Fog and stratus linger mainly in the eastern MA coastal plain as of mid morning but will be mixing out soon as solar heating works on it. We have one more day under the influence of the upper low that’s been around all week, but today’s impact will be far less than yesterday’s in the vast majority of the region. The exception will be any areas that happen to be hit by a passing shower or thunderstorm, which will be more isolated today, but possible at any time – with a tendency for most of them to occur in the noon to 6 p.m. window. Once again any of these could produce small hail, but it’s important to stress that these occurrences will be far more isolated than yesterday’s activity, so outdoor plans should be largely a “go” with just the need to keep an eye out for a shower or storm and have a plan of action in case. Tonight we should only see patchy ground fog form, and it will be a quiet night though some clouds will linger. Sunday’s the “pick” of the week and the weekend as well – the nicest day with the most sun, weighted toward the first half to 2/3 of the day before we see clouds from the next approaching trough start to move in. Some short range guidance has indicated a shower threat later Sunday for interior locations in response to warm air advection, but my emphasis is on increasing clouds and not much of a shower threat, so I am leaving that out of the forecast. It doesn’t get left out of the forecast for early in the week though, when warm frontal rain is probable on Monday and cold frontal showers, some heavy, will be around Monday night into Tuesday as surface low pressure heads through the Great Lakes and a weak secondary low forms to our south and moves up across the region. A dry slot may work in during Tuesday and cut off the shower threat for a number of hours, but these details can be refined with the help of short-range guidance in the next few days. By the time we get to Wednesday, we’re back underneath an upper level low with a cold pool aloft and more diurnal shower development as the same weather pattern rolls on.

TODAY: Low clouds/fog linger into mid morning eastern MA coastal plain, otherwise clouds give way to a sun/cloud mix. Isolated showers and possible thunderstorms, favoring the afternoon, and any can produce small hail. Highs 68-75. Wind variable up to 10 MPH early, becoming N 5-15 MPH, then locally E along eastern coastal areas of NH and MA during the afternoon.

TONIGHT: Partly to mostly cloudy. Patchy ground fog in lower elevations. Lows 50-57. Wind variable under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny through midday then increasing clouds thereafter. Highs 73-80, coolest coast. Wind W up to 10 MPH, but some coastal sea breezes likely.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 55-62. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain at times in the afternoon. Highs 70-77, coolest South Coast. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT & TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with showers likely. Areas of fog. More humid with dew point temperatures above 60 becoming likely. Lows 60-67. Highs 68-75. Wind S to SW 10-20 MPH but may becoming variable at times.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows 55-62. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated to scattered mainly afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms. Highs 68-75. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 15-19)

Upper level low pressure continues to cause mainly diurnal shower chances especially the first part of the period before it lifts out to a more westerly air flow with less shower chances later in the period. Temperatures below to near normal.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 20-24)

Weak westerly flow overall but tendency for low pressure trough to dominate with a couple shower chances and no major heat in sight as we welcome Summer 2023 (solstice June 21).

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 9-13)

Today is the day that the upper low that’s been in our region for days starts its exit, but we’ll still be under its cold pool, which makes the atmosphere unstable. Solar heating triggers the development of scattered showers and thunderstorms this afternoon, and two sea breeze boundaries can focus some of the activity in a couple areas. The first of these is the South Coast sea breeze which may try to orient convection in a west-east line south of I-90 by mid to late afternoon, and a smaller version of this in a north-south line can occur near the MA North Shore and NH Seacoast later in the day. Otherwise, look for the popcorn variety showers elsewhere in the region. Note: Any of these showers can grow enough to produce lightning and small hail, hence the inclusion of thunderstorms and frozen ice ball potential in the detailed forecast that appears below. This activity will fade with the setting sun, but with some lingering around with clearer sky in dry air between showers, I’ll have to issue a rainbow watch for this evening! This type of pattern / set-up results in rather picturesque skies if we are not overtaken by too much overcast, so camera people, keep an eye out for that! As far as wildfire smoke goes, the lower level plume has been pushed just to our south but the northern portion of that may get back into the South Coast region with the development of a sea breeze during the day today. Thin upper level smoke may be around Saturday while the surface smoke plume is pushed to the south again in a more northerly air flow. Upper level low pressure exits to the east on Saturday, but we’ll be on the western edge of its cold pool sufficiently enough for solar heating to trigger another round of showers and possible thunder/hail, but this time in isolated form and more likely confined to the I-95 belt eastward and during the hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., before support is lost and any left vanish. This leaves Saturday night and Sunday free of any rainfall threat as a weak ridge of high pressure builds in and moves across the region. Some smoke can return on Sunday from the west northwest at high levels and the southwest at the surface, especially in southern portions of the region, but right now it does not look as thick as what we saw at the peak of the event recently. Sunday’s temperatures will be the warmer of the 2 weekend days, but not “hot”. Heading into early next week, we return to our unsettled weather regime as the next trough of low pressure moves in from the west. Initially, a warm front approaches Monday with clouds and wet weather chances going up. Low pressure development to our south then has to track northward on the eastern side of the approaching upper trough and has the chance to bring a swath of significant rainfall sometime later Monday into a portion of Tuesday along with muggier air than we’ve had to deal with for a while. Although once again, temperatures will trend to below normal so when you hear the term “muggy” or “humid”, don’t automatically assume heat goes with it, because it won’t be this time either.

TODAY: Partly sunny. Scattered afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms, with most activity occurring after 2 p.m. Any storms can produce small hail. Highs 64-71. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes, but any heavier showers/storms can produce variable, briefly gusty wind.

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Chance of a shower early. Lows 48-55. Wind W up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and a possible thunderstorm midday to mid afternoon, favoring NH Seacoast and eastern MA. Highs 68-75. Wind variable up to 10 MPH early, becoming N 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 50-57. Wind NW under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 72-79, coolest coast. Wind W up to 10 MPH, may be some coastal sea breezes.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows 53-60. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain at times in the afternoon. Highs 70-77, coolest South Coast. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT & TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy with showers likely. Areas of fog. More humid with dew point temperatures above 60 becoming likely. Lows 60-67. Highs 68-75. Wind S to SW 10-20 MPH but may becoming variable at times.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 14-18)

Upper level low pressure crosses the region midweek next week with diurnal shower chances and below normal temperatures expected. Upper low exits with more of a westerly air flow and a drier, milder trend late week. Also of importance is that the outlook is for some beneficial rain to visit both major fire areas in Canada next week, lessening smoke coming from those source regions and therefore drastically reducing the chances of smoke both surface and aloft having to be part of the day-to-day forecast.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 19-23)

Overall pattern favors a weak low pressure trough in a more zonal and less blocked pattern with a couple opportunities for showers/thunderstorms, but mainly fair weather and temperatures below to near normal. The summer solstice occurs on June 21.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 8-12)

Upper level low pressure wobbles around for a couple more days, completing a cyclonic loop moving westward to southwest today into Friday then eastward and starting to move away from the region on Saturday. These 3 days carry shower chances but they differ slightly. Today is the coolest and cloudiest and “most stable” with limited showers and very little chance that any could build to produce thunderstorms. Friday is a more unstable day with scattered mainly afternoon activity capable of producing thunder and small hail, and Saturday this chance continues but coverage reduces to isolated and favoring eastern MA and RI for a portion of the afternoon before support is lost. High pressure builds in for a nice Sunday. Another low pressure trough approaches Monday with a return to unsettled weather at that time, though it may be a slow process with a shower threat holding off until later in the day. We can still see some plumes of both low and high altitude smoke at times over the coming days from Canadian wildfires.

TODAY: Mostly cloudy. Isolated to scattered showers. Highs 61-68. Wind NW up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 48-55. Wind WNW up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. Scattered afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms, favoring areas away from the coast. Any storms can produce small hail. Highs 64-71. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Chance of a shower early. Lows 48-55. Wind W up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and a possible thunderstorm midday to mid afternoon, favoring eastern MA and RI. Highs 68-75. Wind variable up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 50-57. Wind NW under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 72-79, coolest coast. Wind W up to 10 MPH, may be some coastal sea breezes.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows 53-60. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of showers later in the day. Highs 70-77, coolest South Coast. Wind S 5-15 MPH.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 13-17)

Large scale pattern again dominated by a low pressure trough with unsettled weather at times, especially early and again late in the period. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 18-22)

Still a tendency for more trough than ridge at upper levels but relaxing a little so that we’re drier overall and temperatures are more seasonable.

DAYS 1-5 (JUNE 7-11)

The same old story … upper level low pressure in control. It stays this way until the weekend, when the one over us now finally moves away. Before that, we have a few more unsettled days to go through with shower threats. None of these are “rainy” days, but all contain the chance of rain at some point for at least parts of our region. The upper level low with its center currently to our northeast elongates east-west today then the western lobe begins to drift southward across the region by Thursday and into Friday as the low then reconfigures to more of a symmetrical round shape, centered right across eastern New England and the Gulf of Maine by early Friday, after which it will begin a drift to the east with the last of its effect departing on Saturday. Today’s shower threat comes to northern areas from mid level moisture associated directly with the elongating low, with a swath of wet weather already taking place as I write this in south central and southeastern NH to northeastern MA. Enough solar heating takes place before that to fire up some diurnal showers especially in MA which will move to the southeast, fading later on as the solar fuel diminishes. These will not be widespread for coverage, but can be moderate to briefly heavy where they do occur. You’ll also notice that our thick smoke plume from yesterday is less so as it gets pushed to the south, although it may hang on in CT longer. The plume should then be kept mostly out of the region by the upper low into late week. Another round of diurnal shower development takes place Thursday, and with a little more northeast-southwest orientation of upper low and resultant mid level southwest wind over our area, we may see one or two broken lines of showers and embedded thunderstorms in the region. The threat will be a little higher in southeastern MA tomorrow over today, but they can occur anywhere else in the region as well depending on where the initial development takes place. Another region vulnerable may favor northeastern CT, central MA, and southern NH with tomorrow’s activity, with a late-day fading of activity again. Friday, with the core of the cold air aloft right over us, you’d think that the showers and storms could pop anywhere and everywhere, but at the surface with light winds we may develop a moderate sea breeze which may have a stabilizing influence at least in the coastal plain, keeping shower activity limited or even prevented, with activity focusing more on the inland hilly terrain from southwestern NH through central MA into northeastern CT and northwestern RI. Will monitor this trend on short range guidance. Of diurnal shower/storm development the next 3 days, Friday’s has the greatest chance to produce hail where it occurs. Saturday looks “better” but enough cold air will remain over the region on the western edge of the departing low that we will at least pop some clouds and maybe a few more showers, but these should be limited and may peak quickly around midday. I’ll have to fine-tune that part of the forecast as we get closer to it. By Sunday, that upper low is gone and we’re in a weak ridge of high pressure between it and the next approaching trough, so we get a very nice day. But the next trough may already be spreading high and mid level clouds in by later in the day, so we may not end up with a completely sunny day Sunday.

TODAY: Smoke-filtered sun southern MA southward early, brighter sun just to the north, and thicker clouds northeastern MA and southern NH with showers into mid morning. Afterward variably cloudy with scattered midday and afternoon showers favoring MA but possible anywhere. Highs 61-68. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Lots of clouds. Maybe a shower early. Lows 48-55. Wind NW up to 10 MPH.

THURSDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Highs 61-68. Wind WNW 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 47-54. Wind WNW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly sunny. Scattered afternoon showers and possible thunderstorms, favoring areas away from the coast. Any storms can produce small hail. Highs 62-69. Wind variable up to 10 MPH with coastal sea breezes.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Chance of a shower early. Lows 48-55. Wind W up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Chance of a few midday showers favoring the eastern coastal plain. Highs 67-74. Wind variable to W up to 10 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows 50-57. Wind NW under 10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Sunshine. Increasing clouds later. Highs 70-77, coolest coast. Wind W up to 10 MPH, may be some coastal sea breezes.

DAYS 6-10 (JUNE 12-16)

Large scale pattern again dominated by a low pressure trough with unsettled weather weighted toward the first half of next week. Temperatures near to below normal.

DAYS 11-15 (JUNE 17-21)

Still a tendency for more trough than ridge at upper levels but relaxing a little so that we’re drier overall and temperatures are more seasonable.