1200AM

Windy/colder weather swept into the Boston area Monday afternoon & night as the storm that produced some heavy rain departed the region. Heavy snow/sleet/ice was confined to extreme western New England and a good portion of northern New England. Areas of flooding were reported in western and parts of central MA as heavy rain combined with melting snow. Around dawn on Monday, temperatures ranged from the middle 20s in the Berkshires to the lower 50s in Boston. The warmer air is long gone, and the entire region was cold, clear, & windy by Monday evening.

High pressure will build across the region today with dry & chilly weather. This high will move offshore on Wednesday, allowing clouds to begin moving in ahead of the next storm. This system will likely take a track west of New England Thursday with waves of low pressure developing along a slowly advancing frontal boundary Thursday night into Friday. The setup may be similar to the one we just went through, with heaviest precipitation in western and northern New England, including some snow/ice. Rain is more likely further east and south, including the Boston area.

Looking ahead, a couple of weak weather systems will bring some lingering unsettled weather for the upcoming weekend, though major storminess is not expected.

Boston area forecast…

TODAY: Mostly sunny. High in the lower 40s. Wind north 5 to 15 mph.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear.  Low ranging from the middle teens inland valley areas to the middle 20s along the coast. Wind light variable.

WEDNESDAY: Increasing clouds. High in the upper 30s. Wind east up to 10 mph.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Low in the lower 30s. Wind east up to 10 mph.

THURSDAY: Cloudy. High in the lower 40s. Wind southeast up to 10 mph.

FRIDAY: Rain likely. High in the 40s.

SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Chance of rain & snow showers. Highs in the upper 30s to lower 40s.