12:34AM

It almost seems unfair. We are about to enjoy 7 dry days in southern New England while the Gulf Coast continues to deal with a hurricane producing some flooding rain and wind damage. Granted, Isaac is not a major hurricane, but the fact that it has been meandering slowly along the coast during Tuesday night with much of its circulation over water has allowed it to remain organized and stay at category 1 hurricane status instead of weakening to a tropical storm. Intensity won’t much matter, however, when it comes to the tremendous rainfall that will be released by the storm. Flooding will be a problem in Louisiana and parts of Alabama and Mississippi during the next day or 2. As Isaac weakens and moves inland and northward, heavy rain will occur northward toward the lower Ohio Valley by the end of the week. In many areas this will be beneficial as the region has been in drought. In some areas, the rain will come too quickly, however, and lead to flooding. The active tropics also contain Tropical Storm Kirk, but this storm will remain at sea and never bother any land areas.

Back home, high pressure will be in control of the weather for the next 7 days overall. Temperatures will be determined by the wind direction. A refreshingly cool and dry day with a northwest wind today will give way to warmer then hotter weather through Friday as winds turn more west to southwest with time. The Labor Day weekend will start quite warm then cool down slightly as winds turn more northerly then eventually onshore.

The remains of Isaac, if they ever do reach the region with rain or showers, would be expected in about a week, or around Tuesday of next week.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

TODAY: Sunny. Highs 73-78. Wind NW 10-20 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clear. Lows in the 50s except upper 40s inland valleys and 60 urban centers.  Wind light variable.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Highs 81-86, some upper 70s Cape Cod & Islands. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY NIGHT: Clear. Lows 55-63, mildest in urban centers. Wind light WSW.

FRIDAY: Sunny. Highs 86-91. Wind WSW 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 66. High 85.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 61. High 80.

MONDAY – LABOR DAY: Increasing clouds. Low 58. High 75.

TUESDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers. Low 61. High 78.

9:42PM

The discussion from the previous entry pretty much remains true. The only tweak is to speed up the timing of the cold front slightly for Tuesday. Most shower and thunderstorm activity will occur in the morning, with an additional shower or storm possible later in the day as a trough comes along just behind the front.

August will end hotter. Going to bump Friday’s temperatures up slightly and knock the weekend temperatures down just a touch for now.

Otherwise, no major changes, and that leads us to the updated forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

TONIGHT: Clouds move in. Showers and thunderstorms arriving mostly after 4AM.  Muggy. Lows in the 60s. Wind S-SW 10-20 MPH.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Episodes of showers and thunderstorms, mostly in the morning, but one more possible during mid or late afternoon. Humid. Highs middle 70s south-facing coasts, 78-83 elsewhere. Wind SW 10-20 MPH shifting to W.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Clearing. Cooler and drier. Lows 53-58. Wind W-NW 10-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny. Highs 74-79. Wind NW 10-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Low 58. High 83.

FRIDAY: Sunny. Low 62. High 92.

SATURDAY: Sunny. Low 66. High 88.

SUNDAY: Sunny. Low 62. High 83.

MONDAY – LABOR DAY: Increasing clouds. Low 61. High 78.

1:34AM

The Final Five: The home stretch of August has arrived. These final 5 days will be largely uneventful in southern New England, with only Tuesday being the day for unsettled weather, showers and thunderstorms as a cold front pushes through the region. Ahead of this front, a warm day starts the week today. Behind it, a cooler and drier day is expected Wednesday. Warmth returns to the region Thursday and Friday as high pressure dominates at both the surface and upper levels.

Labor Day Weekend: Obviously this 3-day period of September 1 to 3 is a little far away for great detail, but at this point it looks like it will start out on the hot side Saturday. Whether it stays that way all the way through the long weekend is uncertain, and will depend somewhat on what happens with the track of Isaac and the remains of this tropical cyclone, which is expected to hit the Gulf Coast in the next few days. See the comments below this entry for what will be ongoing discussion on this storm.

Forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

TODAY: Mostly sunny. Highs upper 70s south-facing coasts, 80-85 elsewhere. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clouds move in. Showers and thunderstorms arriving mostly after midnight. Muggy. Lows in the 60s. Wind S-SW 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy to partly sunny. Episodes of showers and thunderstorms. Humid. Highs middle 70s south-facing coasts, 78-83 elsewhere. Wind SW 10-20 MPH shifting to W late.

WEDNESDAY: Sunny. Low 58. High 78.

THURSDAY: Sunny. Low 58. High 83.

FRIDAY: Sunny. Low 62. High 88.

SATURDAY: Sunny. Low 66. High 92.

SUNDAY: Sunny. Low 66. High 85.

MONDAY – LABOR DAY: Increasing clouds. Low 64. High 82.

11:29AM

Some Atlantic moisture in both lower levels as well as indirectly in higher levels will be responsible for some additional cloudiness at times this weekend but the weekend overall will be not bad, and will remain rain-free.

Monday looks brighter. Tuesday continues to be the day that features a shower and thunderstorm threat as a cold front moves in. A brief shot of cooler air will likely follow this front (reminding you that Fall is not far away) but then Summer will remind you it is still in command as it warms up late in the week and possibly heats up for Labor Day Weekend (more on this tomorrow).

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY: Variably cloudy but including some sunshine during the day. Patchy fog at night. Lows in the 60s. Highs from the 70s coast to 80-85 inland. Wind variable but often E to SE 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 62. High 84.

TUESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 66. High 82.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 59. High 77.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 55. High 82.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 62. High 86.

8:49PM

This really is about the best kind of weather you can have in August – maybe a little humid for some, but certainly not oppressive. And folks near the east-facing coast will enjoy a refreshing wind from the ocean at times during the next few days. This will take place as high pressure centers itself north of the region. The next eventful weather system will be early next week as a cold front arrives from the west.

Forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, RI…

OVERNIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows in the 60s, a few upper 50s in valley areas. Wind light variable.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs upper 70s to middle 80s coast to inland, cooling back to the lower 70s later in the day near east-facing coastal areas. Wind N shifting to E up to 10 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows 60-65, few upper 50s inland valleys. Wind light E becoming variable.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 75-85 coast to inland. Wind SE 5-15 MPH.

SUNDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 61. High 80.

MONDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 64. High 83.

TUESDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low 66. High 84.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 59. High 79.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 61. High 84.

10:21PM

High pressure will rule the roost for days on end. The next frontal system is not due until about a week from now. The position of the high will determine local temperatures (sea breezes, etc.). East-facing coastal areas will likely be coolest this coming weekend.

Forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Fog patches inland valleys, swamps, and bogs. Lows from the lower 50s inland valleys to near 60 urban centers. Wind calm.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly sunny except filtered sun over Cape Cod & Islands. Highs upper 70s to middle 80s, coolest Cape Cod & Islands as well as any south facing coastal areas. Wind S up to 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear. Areas of fog inland valleys, swamps, and bogs. Lows from the middle 50s inland valleys to lower 60s coastal and urban areas. Wind light SW.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs upper 70s to upper 80s, coolest Cape Cod & Islands. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 65. High 86.

SATURDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 65. High 80.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 62. High 78.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 62. High 84.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. PM thunderstorms. Low 66. High 86.

8:44PM

A trough of low pressure centered in the Great Lakes and Ohio Valley will weaken during the next few days and high pressure will be centered off the East Coast. Weak surface low pressure will pass well southeast of New England tonight with another one to do the same thing by Wednesday. Other than some clouds in southeastern areas, these are not going to have a significant impact. By later this week, high pressure at the surface will become dominant and pretty much guarantee dry weather through the coming weekend.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Lows from the middle 50s to lower 60s. Wind light variable.

TUESDAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 80-85. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partly to mostly clear. Lows 60-65. Wind SW 5-10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 70s coast, lower 80s inland Wind SE 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Low 61. High 83.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 63. High 86.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 65. High 84.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Low 64. High 83.

8:50PM

The next 7 days will feature weather that would be expected to occur in late August. The most “eventful” day will be Monday, as low pressure offshore tracks close enough to bring some rain to southeastern areas especially RI, southeastern MA, Cape Cod, & The Islands. Some light rain or sprinkles may push a little further west and north than these areas. Another low pressure area will track offshore Wednesday but probably too far out to impact the land areas with any precipitation. On a couple occasions, a few air mass showers or storms may be found over inland locations especially Tuesday & Wednesday. High pressure will be more dominant the second half of the week with little if any rain and fairly warm temperatures along with some humidity.

Forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

OVERNIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Lows 55-60 except 60-65 urban areas. Wind calm.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. Periods of rain especially RI through southeastern MA midday on, and just a chance of a few sprinkles or a period of light rain other areas late afternoon. Highs from 72-77 south of Boston to 77-82 north and west of Boston. Wind light S.

MONDAY NIGHT: Mostly to partly cloudy. Lows in the 60s. Wind light variable.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated to scattered afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Highs 75-80 coast and Cape Cod, 80-85 elsewhere. . Wind S-SW 5-10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated PM thunderstorms. Low 66. High 82.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 64. High 83.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 64. High 84.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 65. High 85.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 66. High 86.

2:39AM

This is just a forecast update, out all the way through the week ahead, with another update and a full discussion coming this evening…

TODAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Slightly less humid. Highs around 80, 70s coastal areas. Wind N to E up to 10 MPH.

TONIGHT: Clear. Lows upper 50s valleys to middle 60s urban areas. Wind light variable.

MONDAY: Increasing clouds. Chance of rain late. Highs 75-80. Wind SE 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Scattered PM thunderstorms. Low 63. High 81.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated PM thunderstorms. Low 66. High 82.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 66. High 83.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 65. High 84.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 65. High 85.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 66. High 86.

9:41AM

Slower front means a wetter Saturday. Rain is still needed so it’s not all bad, but sorry if it messed up any outdoor plans. Overall, the summer has been cooperative for outdoor plans to this point, with few exceptions.

Still look for a decent day tomorrow, not hot, not chilly, somewhere in between, a bit drier but not refreshingly dry.

Still thinking we turn wet here Monday, especially afternoon & night, and that the balance of next week typical August late summertime weather with warmth, humidity, and maybe a few showers/storms to dodge but overall rain-free.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

THIS AFTERNOON: Cloudiest south and east where showers will linger at times before moving out. Elsewhere, mostly cloudy to partly sunny with an isolated shower or thunderstorm possible. Humid. Highs in the 70s, near 80 where enough sun shines. Wind light variable.

TONIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Chance of showers especially over southeastern MA and RI. Humid. Lows in the 60s.

SUNDAY: Partly to mostly sunny. Slightly less humid. Highs around 80, 70s coastal areas. Wind N to E up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Clouding over. PM rain/thunderstorms. Low 64. High 79.

TUESDAY: Partly sunny. Scattered PM thunderstorms. Low 63. High 81.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Isolated PM thunderstorms. Low 66. High 82.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 66. High 83.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 65. High 84.

SATURDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 65. High 85.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 66. High 86.

4:35PM

The calendar says mid August, and the weather is behaving as such. This will continue to be the case over the coming several days as a mean ridge sits in the western Atlantic and a mean trough positions itself in the Great Lakes.

One disturbance exiting the region this evening will set off a few more showers and thunderstorms mainly in southern NH which will quickly fade with the setting sun.

A cold front will approach late Friday then cross the region Friday night and early Saturday. Showers and thunderstorms are possible with this feature, but I expect activity to be limited due to the timing of the front through the forecast area. The front will linger just offshore for part of the weekend but other than some additional showers hanging around Cape Cod and the Islands at times, and a few isolated pop up showers and storms possible on Saturday elsewhere, most of the region will be rain-free during the weekend.

We will have to watch a wave of low pressure that would bring some wet weather Monday if it got close enough, but confidence is low on this at the moment. The rest of the early to middle part of next week looks fair, warm, and somewhat humid.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

THROUGH SUNSET: Partly cloudy. Isolated showers and thunderstorms, mainly in southern NH and northeastern MA, any of which could produce brief downpours and small hail. Most areas stay rain-free. Temperatures falling into the 70s. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

TONIGHT: Mostly clear. Less humid. Lows in the 60s. Wind W around 10 MPH.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny to partly cloudy. More humid. Highs from the upper 70s Cape Cod and Islands to the upper 80s interior MA and southern NH. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. A band or two of showers and thunderstorms crossing the region. Humid. Lows 65-70. Wind SW 5-15 MPH shifting to W.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers over Cape Cod & the Islands. Partly sunny with isolated showers or thunderstorms possible elsewhere. Humid. Highs from the middle 70s Cape Cod to lower 80s interior MA. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Humid. Lows in the 60s. Wind variable 5-10 MPH.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Slight chance of showers Cape Cod & the Islands. Remaining humid. Highs from the middle 70s to lower 80s, coolest Cape Cod & the Islands. Wind variable around 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low 64. High 82.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 65. High 84.

WEDNESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 66. High 86.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Low 66. High 83.

6:20PM

A frontal system will amble its way across New England during the next day and a half, with humidity and a chance of showers and thunderstorms through the first half of Thursday. A sliver of high pressure will dry it out a bit later Thursday into Friday, rain-wise, not so much humidity-wise, though it won’t be oppressive at least. The high pressure area will be offshore, and between it and an approaching cold front Friday it will heat up. This cold front will move through late Friday night and early Saturday with a shower and thunderstorm threat, and then should take most of its energy offshore over the weekend. A trough dropping into the Great Lakes should remain far enough west of New England to keep most of its influence away, leaving us with a weekend that will probably turn out warmer and less wet than advertised by most media outlets.

Forecast for eastern MA, southern NH, and RI…

TONIGHT: Variably cloudy. Isolated showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Humid. Lows in the 60s. Wind S-SW under 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Humid. Highs 80-85, upper Cape Cod & Islands. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT: Mostly cloudy. Numerous showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Humid. Lows 65-70. Wind SW 5-10 MPH becoming variable.

THURSDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered to isolated showers and thunderstorms mostly through early afternoon. Highs 81-86 except 75-80 Cape Cod & Islands. Wind variable 5-15 MPH.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms at night. Low 64. High 88.

SATURDAY: Partly sunny. Chance of showers and thunderstorms in the morning. Isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon. Low 64. High 82.

SUNDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 64. High 84.

MONDAY: Mostly cloudy. PM rain/thunderstorms. Low 66. High 80.

10:00PM

Updating The Week Ahead, I’m making a couple minor changes to the forecast. The first, in response to indications that the midweek system will be a little slower exiting, adding a threat of showers and thunderstorms to Thursday’s forecast. Also, with some indications that the trough entering the Great Lakes this weekend will also be slower, going to make some minor changes to the weekend forecast, but not going to be too detailed at this point anyway given how many days away it is.

Updated forecast for RI, eastern MA, southern NH…

OVERNIGHT: Mostly clear. Lows from upper 50s inland valleys to upper 60s urban centers. Wind W under 10 MPH.

TUESDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs upper 70s to lower 80s Cape Cod & Islands, middle to upper 80s elsewhere. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

TUESDAY NIGHT: Increasing clouds. Lows 65-70. Wind SW up to 10 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Highs 80-85, upper 70s south-facing coastal areas. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

THURSDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 66. High 83.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 63. High 87.

SATURDAY: Variably cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 66. High 80.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Isolated showers and thunderstorms. Low 64. High 82.

MONDAY: Partly sunny. Low 64. High 82.

8:19PM

Perseid Meteor Shower update: Though the peak of this shower was last night, tonight can still be decent, provided you are far enough away from light pollution under a clear enough sky. As far as the sky goes, it looks like it will be partly cloudy to mostly clear during the time frame of 10PM to just before dawn, when the meteors are visible. Just some patchy mid level clouds may be moving southwest to northeast across the sky.

The weather for the week upcoming…

Slow progression of weather systems will be the character of the weather during the week. High pressure builds across the region Monday with a drier but very warm summer day, then builds offshore Tuesday allowing the humidity to begin increasing as it stays warm. Wednesday, a cold front will amble its way west to east across the forecast area, interacting with warmth and humidity in place, resulting in showers and thunderstorms. Thursday and Friday will basically be a repeat of the weather expected Monday & Tuesday. Saturday looks unsettled as the next front moves through with showers and storms. Hopefully, this system keeps on moving so that activity ends that night and Sunday is nice. Going with this scenario for now.

Forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TONIGHT: Partly to mostly clear. Lows 63-68. Wind W up to 10 MPH.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Highs 83-88 except 77-82 parts of Cape Cod / Islands. Wind W 5-15 MPH.

MONDAY NIGHT: Partly cloudy. Lows from the upper 50s inland valleys to middle 60s urban centers. Wind W up to 10 MPH shifting to SW.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Highs 75-80 Cape Cod / Islands, 81-86 elsewhere. Wind SW 5-15 MPH.

WEDNESDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 65. High 85.

THURSDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 62. High 81.

FRIDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 64. High 87.

SATURDAY: Mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Low 68. High 79.

SUNDAY: Partly sunny. Low 64. High 83.

8:52AM

A very slow-moving front interacting with tropical air will keep episodes of tropical showers going through Sunday evening. It won’t rain all the time in all of the area, but most areas will see several periods of wet weather.

It would take a miracle to get clear enough sky sometime overnight Saturday night & early Sunday to view any Perseid Meteors, but there is a better chance the area clears up later Sunday night to early Monday morning. This night will not produce as many meteors as the night before, but some would still be viewable. If we do get lucky enough to get some clear sky, Perseid meteors peak in the pre-dawn hours, after midnight. Streaks are often bright but usually thin and very fast-moving. The meteors appear to come from high in the northeastern sky.

Looking ahead to the work week, high pressure should dominate the beginning and end of the week with a frontal system in the middle causing some showers and thunderstorms Wednesday.

Updated forecast for eastern MA, RI, and southern NH…

TODAY THROUGH SUNDAY: Variably cloudy with episodes of showers and thunderstorms, some producing heavy downpours. Patchy fog especially Saturday night. Lows middle 60s to near 70. Highs middle 70s to lower 80s. Humid. Winds variable but mostly S up to 10 MPH, shifting to W later Sunday.

MONDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 61. High 83.

TUESDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 62. High 84.

WEDNESDAY: Variably cloudy. Chance of showers and thunderstorms. Low 66. High 85.

THURSDAY: Partly cloudy. Low 64. High 82.

FRIDAY: Mostly sunny. Low 65. High 85.