Well, it was a nice start to the weekend as temperatures nudged and surpassed the 50 degree mark for many by late morning, and some sun was able to shine. The dry weather lasted just long enough to get some yard work, errands or a long run in before rain overtook the area this afternoon and the temperatures fell back toward 40.
The rain that has filled in is with us through tonight, and at times, it’ll certainly come down in buckets into early Sunday morning before the core of the soaking rains shifts offshore. While the steadiest of the rain slackens by mid to late morning, a cool, raw, and unsettled pattern continues with drizzle and an occasional heavier shower leftover. Even enough instability is around to allow for a rumble or two of thunder south. Highs on Sunday range from the 30s northwest of Boston, to near 40 in the city to the low to mid 50s across southern Plymouth/Bristol counties as well as the Cape and Islands. Even those 50s are fleeting. As winds turn more north, the colder air drives south.
Winds start picking up Sunday afternoon too, gusting 30-40mph from the north to northeast along the coast. That continues Sunday night and Monday as well as the area of low pressure slowly wobbles off our coast. Tides are astronomically on the higher side, and with the storm turning up the surf, any additional storm surge will produce minor coastal flooding and beach erosion Sunday and Monday. With this in mind, there is a coastal flood advisory in place.
Monday also features more damp weather for all of us with occasional showers/drizzle and even some wet snow mixed in across the higher terrain of northern Worcester County.
By the time it’s all said and done, 2-3″ of rain is widespread (heaviest tonight/early Sunday) across the area, which has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flood watch. We’ll keep an eye on urban/poor drainage areas for potential flooding with heavy rain overnight and on Sunday, and an eye on small rivers and streams Sunday and Monday in areas that approach that 3″ mark. Most rivers and larger streams should be able to handle up to 3″ of rain throughout the event, so flooding in that regard would be in the minor category.
The pattern breaks by mid-week, allowing for nicer weather Tuesday – Thursday with temperatures milder inland vs. the coast.
At this time, I expect temps in the mid 40s at Fenway Park for the Sox opener with an onshore breeze. We’ll watch a disturbance to our west that brings in the potential for either afternoon, or end of the day showers, but at this point, it’s certainly not set in stone. If high pressure is strong enough, the rain misses south of us.
Of course we’ll keep you updated on air and online, including through twitter – @clamberton7