7:26AM
March is a fickle month. We describe it this way as if it thinks and can’t make up its mind. But it sure seems that way. The next few days will be a great example of this with plenty of action and change in the weather across southern New England.
It starts with an intensifying storm riding a sharp boundary between mild air to the south and very cold Arctic air just to the north. The low will cut right across southern New England on its east northeast track tonight. The bulk of the precipitation will fall as rain, heaviest over northern MA and southern NH and somewhat lighter to the south especially southeast (Cape Cod area). But as the storm goes by a wind shifting into the north will yank the very cold air right into the region, before the precipitation stops, with a transition to freezing rain, sleet,and snow from north to south. Though only brief freezing rain and minor accumulation of sleet/snow are expected, the rapid drop in temperature and the timing of the event (Thursday morning) will impact travel. Also, even though the precipitation will be largely ended by noon Thursday, the day will be a windy and very cold one, with any icy areas lingering on untreated surfaces.
Behind the storm, expect a frigid Thursday night and Friday morning, with slight moderation under strong March sun Friday afternoon back to above freezing. A milder push of air will arrive by Saturday ahead of a cold front, along with lots of clouds and a rain shower risk. Colder air returns Sunday and early next week, though not as cold as the Arctic invasion of Thursday. We’ll watch storminess offshore early next week, but so far it’s expected to stay offshore.
Updated forecast for southeastern New England (southern NH, eastern MA, and RI)…
TODAY: Overcast. A little light rain southern NH and far northern MA through midday. Rain developing from west to east later in the afternoon all areas, lastly on Cape Cod. Highs in the 40s except 50s South Coast. Wind E 5-15 MPH, SE 10-20 MPH South Coast.
TONIGHT: Overcast. Rain to start, then changing to freezing rain, sleet, and snow from north to south overnight. Temperatures falling into and then through the 30s and 20s. Wind SE to SW over southeastern MA and RI for a while, NE to N elsewhere then eventually in southern MA and RI as well, 10-20 MPH with higher gusts.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy. Snow accumulating 1-2 inches with locally 3 possible in the morning, then snow showers in the afternoon. Temperatures steady in the 20s. Wind N to NW 15-30 MPH with gusts 35-50 MPH. Wind chill in the single digits and teens.
FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 10. High 35.
SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain showers. Low 33. High 49.
SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 20. High 36.
MONDAY – ST. PATRICK’S DAY: Partly sunny. Low 18. High 37.
TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 19. High 35.