2:40 AM

As is often the case, some of the final days of Winter will be mild, and the first days of Spring will be colder. It’s just a typical scenario in the climate of New England. No big surprises.

In the short term, we’re warming up, with a bright & mild St. Pat’s day just getting underway as the last of the patchy fog burns off during this morning. A sea breeze along the immediate coast this afternoon may put the brakes on the warm up at some point this afternoon.  All areas will be warm for several hours on Friday as a stronger west wind arrives just ahead of a cold front. This front will cross the region, with a few showers, and a return to chilly air for Friday night and the weekend. A wave of low pressure on the cold front will pass mostly south of the region on Saturday but may hold some clouds in during the morning.

Forecast details for the Boston area…

TODAY: Mostly sunny. High 55 to 60 though temperatures may drop back to the 40s along the immediate coast in the afternoon. Wind W up to 10 mph except local afternoon seabreezes.

TONIGHT: Increasing clouds. Low 40 to 45. Wind W 5 to 15 mph.

FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy with isolated showers. High 60 to 65. Wind W 15 to 25 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Low 35 to 40. Wind NW 10 to 20 mph with higher gusts.

SATURDAY: Variably cloudy in the morning then becoming mostly sunny in the afternoon. High in the upper 40s.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. High in the middle 40s.

A quick peek down the road into next week… Potential colder/stormy pattern returns. Cannot rule out a snow event in the March 22-27 window. Will be keeping an eye on trends.