What a day! Temps neared 60 degrees thanks to a milder air mass, combined with the stronger March sunshine that we now get this time of year. As of this writing, Boston’s high was 59 degrees. We hit 59 only once this winter, on January 11th. The last time we hit 60 or better? That was back on November 27th.
However, in true March fashion, we have a wild up and down week ahead of us as we track a potent storm that runs across New England.
Wednesday: In the morning, light rain, and even a bit of light snow develops outside 495. Snow has a tough time sticking thanks to a warm ground, and will transition to rain by midday there. By midday, light rain starts inside 495 as well, becoming steadier and heavier at times in the afternoon and evening. Rain totals generally run 0.75-1.50″ by the end of the storm. Temps range from the upper 30s in southern NH and northern Worcester county to the 50s south of the city Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday night: Rain is heavy in the evening, and evening winds are gusty out of the south over Buzzards Bay/Cape/Islands. After Midnight, winds start turning north, and that allows temps to trend down. Rain changes to snow from northwest to southeast across the area from Worcester County to Southeast Mass. Slick spots develop predawn as temps crash below freezing and light snow starts sticking. The highest totals will be across northern Worcester County, where at least a few inches could add up.
Thursday: There won’t be much precipitation left, but what is out there falls as snow. With temperatures now in the teens and 20s, what snow falls will stick. Generally, a coating to a couple inches dusts the ground. While it’s not much, the minor accumulations in addition to leftover puddles freezing up, can create slick spots for the morning commute. Temps still struggle in the afternoon as the numbers hold in the upper teens to mid 20s and wind chills flirt with 0! North to northwest winds gust 40-50mph in the bitter blast.
By Friday morning, many suburbs are in the single digits while we’re in the lower to mid teens in the city. The record low Friday morning in Boston is 12, set back in 1896! We’ll be close to it, but likely just above it.
The rebound into the weekend is fast, as 50+ is indeed in the forecast again on Saturday. There may be a passing shower with a cool front Saturday, then, cooler weather for Sunday.
Early next week features a ocean storm that as of now stays just to our east. The high pressure that’ll be responsible for keeping that storm offshore is from Canada, so cold air likely settles in for St. Patrick’s Day.
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