8:24AM

If you were dreaming of a mild and wet Christmas, it will come true. If you were dreaming of a White Christmas around southeastern New England, keep dreaming. You’ll have to head into northern and far western New England to find residual snow on the ground from previous snow events. But this time around here, we have a mild rain event for the 2 days leading up to and including part of the holiday itself.

A well-advertised, but weaker-than-originally-hyped-to-be low pressure area will crank up and move through the Great Lakes into eastern Canada during the next few days. This system will first drag a warm front toward and eventually through southeastern New England with periods of rain and drizzle ahead of it in the relatively cool and damp air. Once that front goes by, it will introduce a moderate to strong southerly flow of unseasonably mild air with clusters of showers and even possible thunderstorms within that warm sector for much of Christmas Eve day into night as well. The cold front associated with this storm system will push eastward across the region on Christmas Day, eventually putting an end to the wet weather as a drying westerly wind takes over, though it may not completely clear out until the night.

High pressure will slide eastward passing just south of New England Friday and Saturday. This will maintain milder than normal conditions with dry weather for these days. By Sunday, a cold front will cross the region from the west, and we’ll probably just see some rain showers ahead of and with the front and maybe a few snow showers behind it as a shot of colder air arrives later Sunday and then lasts through Monday of next week, which should be a dry day.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY AND TONIGHT: Overcast. Periods of rain. Areas of fog and drizzle. Temperatures steady 38-45. Wind light E.
WEDNESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT – CHRISTMAS EVE: Mostly cloudy. Isolated to scattered rain showers day. Scattered to numerous rain showers and a chance of thunderstorms at night. Temperatures rising from the 40s through the 50s during the day to a nighttime high of 58-65. Wind shifting to S and increasing to 15-25 MPH with higher gusts.
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY: Cloudy morning with rain showers likely, but ending from west to east midday. Mostly cloudy afternoon but clearing line approaching from west with sun possible especially Boston area westward before sunset. Temperatures falling through the 50s. Wind W 10-20 MPH and gusty.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 30. High 50.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 35. High 55.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Chance of rain showers morning and a few snow showers late day. Low 35. High 45.
MONDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 40.

6:59PM

The atmosphere made a feeble attempt to deliver a set-up for a white Christmas, with some ocean effect snow mainly south of Boston and some scattered light snow around southeastern New England as a disturbance at upper levels passed through from southwest to northeast. But that’s about it for snow chances. And with milder to warmer air arriving in time for Christmas, the chances of a white Christmas drop to nil. Maybe next year! So exactly what is coming up during the week ahead? Read on…

Monday / Tuesday … Air flow shifts slowly from northerly to easterly as high pressure tries to hold on north of New England and low pressure tries to approach from the south but weakens and washes out. Cloudiness will dominate and there may be spotty light snow Monday and scattered light rain Tuesday as the atmosphere warms slightly.

Wednesday / Thursday (Christmas Eve / Christmas Day) … Here it comes! The storm of the century! Right? Wrong. Low pressure will crank up in the Midwest during this time, and will send a warm front northward through southern New England Wednesday, preceded by some light rain, drizzle, and fog. As long as the warm front pushes right through, a stronger southerly wind flow will then develop along with areas of rain showers. We cannot even rule out breaks in the clouds and some sun between the warm front and approaching cold front. That cold front will approach later at night into the early hours of Christmas Day with showers likely and even the chance of thunderstorms, somewhat unusual for late December. During Christmas Day itself, the front will push offshore but slowly enough that moisture still still be moving up along and behind it with additional rain showers. Behind this front, the push of cooler air is fairly weak, but a gusty west wind and a cool-down and dry-out is likely by later Christmas Day and Christmas Night.

Friday / Saturday … Southwesterly flow aloft, westerly flow at the surface, high pressure passing to the south. That is a dry and milder than average set up for late week.

Sunday … Early call would be for a cold front to sweep through from the west with a colder air mass arriving. We’ll also have to watch for a potential low pressure wave from the southern branch of the jet stream moving out south of the region but it is uncertain if that will form and affect the region.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TONIGHT: Cloudy. Spotty snow flurries with no accumulation, but a few bands of briefly light to moderate snow showers South Shore of MA with minor additional accumulation. Lows 25-33. Wind light NE.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Spotty snow flurries. Highs 33-40. Wind light N.
MONDAY NIGHT: Cloudy. Patchy drizzle and fog. Temperatures steady 33-40. Wind light NE.
TUESDAY: Cloudy. Areas of fog and drizzle. Chance of light rain. Highs 38-45. Wind light E.
WEDNESDAY – CHRISTMAS EVE: Morning – cloudy with drizzle and fog and a chance of rain. Afternoon – mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers. Evening – cloudy with scattered to numerous rain showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Night – rain showers likely and a chance of thunderstorms. Low 45. High 60.
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers diminishing west to east. Low 50. High 55.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 32. High 48.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 33. High 54.
SUNDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of rain to snow showers. Temperatures falling 40s to 30s.

7:45AM

So far, snow showers have been confined mainly to an area just inland and south of Boston with South Weymouth MA topping 2 inches, slightly less in nearby areas, and mix/rain showers from the immediate shoreline through Cape Cod, with lighter snow showers back into parts of RI. Very little has taken place from Boston northward. With cold air remaining in place and an onshore flow continuing, will keep the threat of snow and rain showers going though lessening somewhat into Monday, then more of a drizzle and fog threat by Tuesday as low level moisture increases and air warms aloft and slightly at the surface. Still looking for a weakening low to make an attempt to pass southeast of the region Tuesday but losing its identity as it does so. As low pressure develops and intensifies while moving through the Great Lakes and into Ontario on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day we will see the passage of a warm front on the eve bringing some rain/fog/drizzle for part of Christmas Eve and a band of rain showers and possible thunderstorms in the early hours of Christmas Day as a cold front swings through from the west. In between the two fronts a significant spike in temperature may take place. There is not all that much cold air available to be pulled in behind the cold front so expect a modest cool-down but a chilly-feeling breeze arriving by later Christmas Day after a wet start as rain showers linger. We should see a colder trend but not a plunge into really cold air late in the week.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Mostly cloudy though some breaks of sun may develop later in the day especially well inland. Areas of snow showers initially mainly south of Boston except rain showers around Cape Cod, then a chance of snow showers in northeastern MA and southeastern NH with only minor accumulation possible. Highs in the 30s, around 40 Cape Cod. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers except mix/rain showers Cape Cod. Lows 25-30 interior areas, 30-35 coastal areas. Wind light NE.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers except rain showers Cape Cod. Highs in the 30s. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
TUESDAY: Cloudy. Areas of drizzle/fog. Low 35. High 45.
WEDNESDAY – CHRISTMAS EVE: Cloudy with a chance of rain/drizzle/fog morning. Mostly cloudy to partly sunny afternoon. Mostly cloudy with rain showers and possible thunderstorms at night. Low 45. High 60.
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers likely especially morning. Low 50. High 55.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 35. High 45.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 25. High 45.

9:16AM

The weekend will feature some ocean-effect and briefly upper-level-disturbance-enhanced snowfall for parts of southeastern New England, as high pressure to the north provides a northeasterly air flow. The greatest likelihood for snow that will accumulate will be in coastal areas of eastern MA especially Boston northward, and just inland over all of eastern MA to northern RI. Less likely but still possible are some minor accumulations elsewhere. No accumulation is expected on Cape Cod and the Islands where it will be too mild to support snow for most of the event. Elsewhere, expect a coating to 1 inch of snow, but areas of 1-3 inches especially just inland from the coast and over elevated locations especially southwest of Boston It is not out of the question that a few small bands of greater than 3-inch accumulation could occur due to the combination of ocean enhancement and energy passing through in upper levels. Southern NH will have less activity and therefore only scattered coatings of snow.

Early next week, an onshore flow will continue. Enough dry air may work in for some sunshine Monday, but clouds should dominate again Tuesday as a weakening low pressure area passes south of the region.

A deep trough swinging through the Midwest and Great Lakes will develop a large storm system there for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (Wednesday-Thursday), sending a frontal system through New England. What is not immediately known is the timing of the front and heaviest rainfall. And it will be rain as the air will be far too mild to support snow. There may also be some strong, gusty winds. An early estimate is that most of the rain may come through in the late night hours of Christmas Eve to early hours of Christmas Day, with a drying trend during the holiday itself.

By the end of next week it will trend somewhat colder along with mostly dry weather on Friday.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Low clouds increase across most of eastern MA through RI with occasional snow showers developing, except snow to rain showers Cape Cod & Islands. Partly sunny north central MA into southern NH though clouds and a few snow showers will eventually take over near the NH Seacoast. Highs in the 30s. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Occasional to frequent snow showers, especially eastern MA into RI, but rain showers Cape Cod. Lows upper 20s to lower 30s except near 35 Cape Cod. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Frequent to occasional snow showers, especially morning and midday. Highs in the 30s. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
MONDAY: Partly sunny. Low 28. High 40.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Low 30. High 42.
WEDNESDAY – CHRISTMAS EVE: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy. Risk of showers day. Period of rain night. Low 35. High 48.
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY: Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy. Risk of rain showers early. Low 38. High 45.
FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 35.

6:37PM

It may be at the edge of the forecast range, but Christmas is nearing! A lot of shopping and travel plans will be attempted during the next 7 days, so let’s take a look at how the weather may play out. Starting way out, about the Christmas Eve / Christmas Day storm threat: To be honest with you, I realize the reason that many media are talking about the system in as much detail as they are this far in advance, with the importance of peoples’ plans and all, but we should reel that in a bit, because as much as computer guidance has changed in the last 3 days on the outlook for next week, and the fact that the pieces or ingredients of this potential event are scattered around various portions of the Pacific Ocean at this time, things are likely to shift further. What I put in that part of the forecast will be low confidence, and will, as always, be fine-tuned with time. Leading up to that we also have a few weather changes to encounter. First, we have a cooler northwesterly flow of air that became established during the day Thursday behind a departing low pressure area. This will lead to a dry and cool day Friday as high pressure builds north of the region. This high will orient itself in such a way that the wind will turn northeast over the weekend, bringing episodes of ocean cloudiness into portions of southeastern New England, especially coastal areas, with a little more emphasis on cloudiness and possible drizzle and snow showers Sunday versus Saturday. High pressure should nose southward a little more for fair weather on Monday. We’ll have to watch for a wave of low pressure passing near or east of the region Tuesday as a boundary will be nearby. This is uncertain, detail-wise, but odds would favor Tuesday being a cloudier day and perhaps somewhat damp if low pressure is close enough. So there will be plenty to monitor during the coming days…

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows ranging from the lower 20s rural areas to around 30 along the coastline. Wind NW 5-15 MPH, gusting to 25 MPH, diminishing somewhat overnight.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the 30s. Wind NW 5-15 MPH with higher gusts.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows in the 20s. Wind light N.
SATURDAY: Periods of ocean cloudiness especially coastal areas from Boston to Cape Cod and across southeastern MA and parts of RI at times. Sunnier elsewhere. Highs around 40. Wind NE 5-15 MPH.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Spotty drizzle/flurries especially eastern areas. Low 32. High 40.
MONDAY: Partly sunny. Low 30. High 42.
TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of light mix/rain especially east. Low 32. High 42.
WEDNESDAY – CHRISTMAS EVE: Partly sunny. Low 32. High 46.
THURSDAY – CHRISTMAS DAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain to snow showers. Temps cooling 40s to 30s.

2:48AM

The Arctic air which inhabited Canada for much of the month of November headed back over the pole and into Siberia during December and has shown very little push back into North America. Though there are signs that this will finally begin to change, it will take place slowly, so systems between now and the holiday will have limited cold air to work with. This will limit, but not eliminate, the chance of getting some snow on the ground before Christmas. However, the system coming through southeastern New England today is not going to be one that brings the chance of any meaningful snowfall. A parent low pressure area is passing well northwest of the region while a secondary low moves right across southeastern New England. The most widespread rain will take place first thing in the morning, with just lots of clouds and a few showers otherwise. Tonight, cooler air will filter in, and some rain showers will be around at first, but eventually overnight and into Thursday morning, a disturbance will bring a chance of snow showers as air will become cold enough. Drier air will filter in later Thursday and especially Friday into Saturday as high pressure builds in. By Sunday, developing low pressure over the Southeast is expected to move off the Mid Atlantic Coast. At this time, it appears this system will not turn into a major storm, but it, combined with high pressure to the north, will bring cloudiness and a chance of some rain and snow to the region Sunday. Low pressure may be slow to move away so that some snow showers are possible Monday, before narrow high pressure brings dry weather for Tuesday.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Cloudy with areas of fog into mid morning, including rain which will end southwest to northeast. Mostly cloudy to partly sunny with a chance of a few rain showers remainder of the day. Highs in the 40s. Wind light E to variable becoming W and increasing to 10-20 MPH in the afternoon.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers before midnight. Chance of snow showers late at night. Lows in the 30s. Wind W to NW 10-20 MPH.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Scattered snow showers in the morning. Highs around 40. Wind NW 10-20 MPH and gusty.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 20. High 35.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 19. High 41.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of light snow/rain. Low 28. High 38.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 26. High 36.
TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 22. High 40.

7:36AM

Quick update only. Full discussion and updated forecast later today…

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Cloudy. Scattered drizzle. Isolated rain showers. Highs 40-45. Wind light E.
TONIGHT: Cloudy. Scattered rain showers before midnight. Numerous rain showers after midnight. Temperatures steady around 40. Wind E 5-15 MPH.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy with rain showers likely through mid morning, ending lastly over Cape Cod. Mostly cloudy to partly sunny afternoon. Highs 45-50. Wind SE 5-15 MPH early then W 10-20 MPH and gusty.
THURSDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Low 25. High 35.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 20. High 35.
SATURDAY: Increasing clouds. Low 20. High 35.
SUNDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow inland, rain or snow coast. Low 25. High 35.
MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 20. High 30.

11:14PM

High pressure will allow a tranquil start to the week Monday. Low pressure will track northeastward into the eastern Great Lakes Tuesday then redevelop just off the coast and move rapidly northeastward away from southeastern New England. This track means that the system will produce rain later Tuesday through early Wednesday. As cold air arrives behind the departing low, a few snow showers may wander into the region Wednesday night, but a secondary front and associated disturbance will plow through the region during Thursday with the potential for additional snow showers. This will set up a quiet and chilly end of the week and start of the weekend as high pressure builds in. But during the weekend we’ll likely be impacted by low pressure coming out of the US Southeast. It’s too early to determine the track and ultimate impact on our area but this will be watched as the week goes along.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
OVERNIGHT: Clear. Lows 20-28 except around 30 coast and urban areas. Wind light NW.
MONDAY: Sunny start then a mix of sun and clouds. Highs in the 40s. Wind light NW to N.
MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy early then clearing. Lows middle 20s to lower 30s. Wind light N to E.
TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Highs in the 40s. Wind light E to SE.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. AM rain showers. Late day or nighttime rain to snow showers. Low 35. High 45.
THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Scattered snow showers. Low 25. High 35.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 20. High 35.
SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Low 15. High 35.
SUNDAY: Cloudy. Rain and snow possible. Low 30. High 40.

9:06AM

WEEKEND DISCUSSION…
With the old low still offshore and fairly close-by, we’ll remain under the influence of its circulation through the weekend. A disturbance, or “spoke of energy” moving around it will bring cloudiness and some snow showers to coastal NH, northeastern MA, the MA South Shore, and outer Cape Cod during this morning. A few flakes may migrate southwestward into the Boston area and immediate suburbs but no accumulation here while the aforementioned areas may see a coating to 1/2 inch of snow. Areas to the west and southwest are enjoying some sunshine and will continue to do so this morning. All areas will be in and out of clouds this afternoon but again clouds will be most dominant in eastern areas. By tonight, there is hope for a batch of drier air to clear out most of the clouds, leaving the sky favorable for the second peak night of the Geminid Meteor Shower, in which up to 120 meteors per hour may be visible. Sunday should be a day featuring a mix of sun and clouds again but this time with a little more sun in the overall mix. For those going to the Patriots game in Foxboro, the temperature should be around 40 at 1PM kick off time and in the upper to middle 30s by the end of the game, with a northerly breeze up to 15 MPH.

NEXT WEEK (MONDAY-FRIDAY)…
Low pressure finally moves far enough offshore to keep its clouds away but not far enough offshore to keep its north wind away, which will limit the amount of warming that takes place as the air will be “refrigerated”, having come across newly snow-covered areas to the north. But still, it will be a very nice day. Low pressure will track northeastward through the Midwest and into the eastern Great Lakes Tuesday then redevelop over southern New England before moving northeastward into Maine on Wednesday. This track and redevelopment will favor rain, not snow, for southeastern New England, however as colder air starts to come back into the region behind the departing secondary low, some snow showers may result Wednesday night. A secondary cold front on Thursday may also deliver a few snow showers. By Friday, high pressure is in, with fair and chilly weather.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Morning – mostly cloudy with snow showers coastal NH through northeastern MA then into coastal southeastern MA to outer Cape Cod with accumulations of a coating to 1/2 inch, mostly cloudy with a few snow flurries Boston area, more sun further to the west from south central NH to interior MA to RI. Afternoon – mostly cloudy to partly sunny with isolated rain or snow showers in coastal areas. Highs in the 30s. Wind N 5-15 MPH.
TONIGHT: Partly cloudy to mostly clear. Lows in the 20s. Wind N 5-15 MPH.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. Highs around 40. Wind N 5-15 MPH.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 25. High 45.
TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 25. High 45.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain AM. Chance of snow showers night. Low 35. High 45.
THURSDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of snow showers. Low 25. High 35.
FRIDAY: Sunny. Low 20. High 35.

7:25AM

Finally on the back side of the decaying low pressure area, for 2 more days before it wanders away. Considerable cloudiness will be the rule through Saturday along with some spotty rain and snow showers. By Sunday, we finally get into more sunshine as low pressure pulls away to the east, but we’re still not likely to see complete clearing. That will wait until Monday when a ridge of high pressure will build over southeastern New England with fair and milder weather. But that won’t last either, as the next low pressure trough will approach from the Great Lakes later Tuesday and pass through on Wednesday with a chance of some rain and snow. This exits by Thursday when we will see a delivery of gusty, colder air.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Mostly cloudy, a few intervals of sun, but also scattered areas of very light snow/drizzle. Highs 35-40. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers with brief minor accumulation. Lows 25-30. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.
SATURDAY: Lots of clouds, a few more intervals of sun, with lingering isolated rain/snow showers. Highs around 40. Wind NW 5-15 MPH.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows around 30. Wind N 5-15 MPH.
SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Highs around 40. Wind N 10-20 MPH.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 30. High 50.
TUESDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of light mix at night. Low 30. High 45.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Chance of rain/snow. Low 30. High 40.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 20. High 35.

5:32PM

Low pressure that barreled into New England from the south on Tuesday with an icy start then rain, flooding, and wind has decided to park itself in the area and spin around for a few more days. It will not get out of here until the second part of the coming weekend, finally pulling away to the east. Being under its influence through Saturday, we’ll see plenty of cloudiness along some rain and snow showers. Do not look for any widespread heavy precipitation.

By early next week, high pressure will move overhead with a couple nice days, not too cold by December standards. Toward the middle of next week, a new trough will move in with a return to unsettled weather.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers coast, southeastern MA, and RI, with rain or snow showers elsewhere. Brief coatings of snow possible mainly along and northwest of I-495. Lows in the 30s. Wind variable to SW up to 10 MPH.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers except rain or snow showers inland with brief coatings possible. Highs around 40. Wind variable to W up to 10 MPH.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain or snow showers Cape Cod and South Coast, snow showers elsewhere, with accumulation of under 1/2 inch possible. Lows around 30. Wind variable to NW 5-15 MPH.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers. Highs in the 30s. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain/snow showers. Low 30. High 40.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 25. High 45.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 30. High 50.
TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Low 30. High 45.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Chance of rain or snow. Low 35. High 40.

1:11AM

A developing low pressure area will move fairly quickly northward into southern New England today, first bumping into cold air that has been trapped at low levels from the Boston area west and north, causing some slick conditions with light snow and freezing drizzle. Milder ocean air that has been sitting over southeastern MA will expand as the boundary between the cold and mild shifts westward with time during the morning. The cold air will take the longest to erode in areas well northwest of Boston, especially in valley locations. Once the icing issue is replaced by melting, rain and wind will become the story during the afternoon and early evening ahead of the advancing low pressure center. Things will settle down during the evening and nighttime hours as low pressure moves overhead and slows down, with some drier air working into the circulation and the heaviest rain area advancing well to the north (with heavy snow over the mountains of western and northern New England). During Wednesday and Thursday, this low will continue to sit and spin in the region, with clouds dominant, and episodic rain showers as the air will be too mild to support snow. Friday and Saturday, this low will finally wander away to the northeast but will do so slowly enough that lots of clouds and a few rain showers will linger. Expect fair weather to finally dominate by Sunday and Monday. After the current cold is scoured out, don’t expect a return to very cold air during the next 7 days.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Overcast. Light precipitation into mid morning in the form of snow well northwest of Boston and freezing drizzle closer to Boston especially inland, with light drizzle/rain in areas south and southeast of the city. Snow accumulation of a coating to 1 inch possible north and west of Boston. A light coating of ice also likely from Boston north and west. Untreated surfaces will be slippery. Heavier liquid rain develops south to north midday and afternoon, with even the chance of embedded thunder late afternoon. Highs eventually 35-45 northwest to southeast. Wind light N to NE north and west of Boston and NE increasing to 10-20 MPH closer to Boston in the morning, then NE to E increasing to 15-25 MPH with gusts over 30 MPH inland, and 20-30 MPH with gusts over 40 MPH closer to the coast and over 50 MPH from Cape Ann to the South Shore through Cape Cod.
TONIGHT: Cloudy. Scattered rain showers. Temperatures steady 35-45. Wind variable, mostly SE 5-15 MPH.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers. Highs in the 40s. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain showers. Low 40. High 45.
FRIDAY: Mostly cloudy. Isolated rain showers. Low 40. High 45.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Isolated rain showers. Low 35. High 45.
SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Low 30. High 45.
MONDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 30. High 45.

1:27AM

The first 5 days of the week will be impacted by one storm, which will develop over the waters south of New England Monday, track northward right into southern New England Tuesday, hang around right over the region Wednesday and Thursday, then move away to the northeast on Friday.

Monday’s impact will be an increasing northeast wind with cloudiness as high pressure retreats northeastward into the Canadian Maritimes and the storm organizes to the south. Some snow showers may move in from the ocean during the day, especially in eastern coastal areas, but no significant snow accumulation will occur. Tuesday will be the day of greatest impact, with a solid area of moderate to heavy rain lifting northward across southeastern New England, along with some gusty wind. As the low center wobbles around the region Wednesday and Thursday, we’ll have somewhat drier air being pulled into the system along with some areas of instability, but the air will be mild enough for rain showers to be scattered around on Wednesday, however many areas may be rain-free for much of the day. Similar conditions are expected Thursday but with air just a little colder, rain or snow showers are possible. By Friday, it will be slightly colder still but with less moisture, so there is just a chance of a few snow showers.

By the weekend, expect high pressure to build in, along with a milder trend.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
MONDAY: Partly sunny to mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers and drizzle possible especially in the afternoon near eastern coastal areas. Little accumulation. Highs 33-40. Wind NE 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.
MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Spotty light snow showers or freezing drizzle early. Lows around 30 early then rising through the 30s overnight. Wind N 10-20 MPH, higher gusts.
TUESDAY: Overcast. Rain developing south to north, may start as snow briefly outside of I-495 especially north of the Mass Pike. Heaviest rain late. Highs in the 40s. Wind E to SE 15-25 MPH, higher gusts over 30 MPH inland, over 40 MPH near the coast.
WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Isolated to scattered rain showers. Low 35. High 45.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered rain or snow showers. Low 35. High 40.
FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. Isolated snow showers. Low 30. High 35.
SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 25. High 45.
SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 30. High 50.

7:32AM

QUICK DISCUSSION…
Clouds depart from NW to SE through midday today, more sun this afternoon but windy as high pressure builds in. This high will be centered to the northeast of southern New England by Monday, and as low pressure organizes to the south a gusty onshore wind will develop, with cold air in place, spelling ocean-effect snow showers. The developing storm will then move northward and impact the region with rain and wind as milder ocean air floods the lower atmosphere Tuesday. Low pressure is expected to park itself right over or near southeastern New England then for the middle of the week before finally wandering off to the east by Friday, with rain showers transitioning to snow showers during this time frame, along with more wind and a cooling trend.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
TODAY: Clouds decrease northwest to southeast, with most sun mid afternoon until sunset. Highs 40-45. Wind N increasing to 10-20 MPH with gusts up to 30 MPH, except 15-30 MPH with gusts over 30 MPH higher elevations and coastal areas.
TONIGHT: Clear evening. Clouds increase especially eastern areas overnight. Lows in the 20s. Wind N to NE 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.
MONDAY: Cloudy southeastern NH, eastern MA, and RI, with episodes of snow showers with minor accumulation possible, especially near the coast. Partial sunshine with a few snow showers elsewhere. Highs in the 30s. Wind NE 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.
TUESDAY: Overcast. Rain. Windy. Low 35. High 45.
WEDNESDAY: Cloudy. Rain showers. Windy. Low 40. High 45.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Rain and snow showers. Windy. Low 35. High 40.
FRIDAY: Variably cloudy. Snow showers. Windy. Low 30. High 40.
SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 25. High 45.

10:47PM

Hi readers! Just a quick update hitting the major points and then a fresh forecast.

A low pressure wave will bring wet weather to the region through Saturday. Overnight Friday night some snow/sleet/freezing rain will occur in north central MA into southwestern and south central NH. By morning enough mild air will be in place for all rain, periods of which will continue during the day, into the night. As precipitation ends from northwest to southeast later at night, enough cold air may catch up with it to cause some snow/sleet right at the back edge. Sunday will be a fair and cool day as high pressure builds eastward, north of the region.

Early next week we’re still watching the threat of a storm. This system, though somewhat significant, will likely be weaker than some computer models show, and enough mild air should make it a mainly rain event, though some frozen precipitation may occur at the start sometime Monday night or early Tuesday.

After the storm winds up and gets set to pull away, enough cold air on the back side may result in snow showers around Wednesday. A long stretch of dry weather begins after that.

SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND FORECAST…
OVERNIGHT: Snow/sleet/freezing rain north central MA into southwestern and south central NH becoming all rain. Rain elsewhere. Temperatures rising to 35-40 well northwest of Boston, 40-45 elsewhere. Wind light E.
SATURDAY: Cloudy. Periods of rain northwest of Boston and scattered showers Boston southeast. Highs 40-50 from northwest to southeast. Wind S up to 10 MPH.
SATURDAY NIGHT: Cloudy with rain likely, may end as brief snow/sleet northwest to southeast late. Lows around 30. Wind shifting to NW 10-20 MPH.
SUNDAY: Sunny. Highs in the 30s. Wind NW to N 10-20 MPH and gusty.
MONDAY: Increasing clouds. PM snow showers mainly near coast. Mix to rain at night. Low 20. High 40.
TUESDAY: Cloudy. Periods of rain. Low 35. High 45.
WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Snow showers likely. Low 30. High 40.
THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 20. High 35.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 15. High 35.