I know when it comes to weather – it really is all relative as to what is “good news,” “bad news,” “too cold,” “too hot,” etc. I respect that. I’ve been reminded a few times recently on social media that I need to keep my personal opinion out of the forecast… Some guy tweeted me the other day, “you tomatoes are all alike – ‘turning up the heat every day’ – it’s winter and it’s supposed to be cold.” I can respect is disrespectful comment – because he is right, though he could have found a better way to say it. So, I’m trying to find a better way to describe the cold we’ve been experiencing recently, and I think the best way to do it is to compare it to climatological averages. It puts it into perspective to put our recent cold weather up against what is “normal” for this time of year (though, “normals” are derived from both extremes… but I digress). Just while looking at today’s highs, in the low to mid 30s, we were about 5-7 degrees below average today, and only 5 days this month have been above average.
I think it’s safe to say that it’s been cold because it’s been colder than average for this time of year. I may be a “tomato” – but I’ve been packing on all of my layers recently, because #IMHO, it’s cold. Oh, and that guy also called me a munchkin… which is just rude and confusing.
Now back to the forecast… The cold will hold for the next couple of days – but while tomorrow is even colder than today, it may actually feel warmer! That’s because we’ll have mostly clear skies and much calmer wind than what we experienced today. Highs on Sunday will be in the upper 20s to near 30.
Clouds will be on the increase late Sunday evening ahead of the next chance for some winter precip. A weak wave of low pressure moves through overnight Sunday into early Monday and may bring a few isolated flurries. Though, there’s not much lift or moisture with this wave, so it really looks like minimal impact. Still, there is the potential for some isolated slick areas of travel through the day on Monday.
We’re in for a temp boost come Tuesday – that is to say above average, as highs will make it into the mid to upper 40s. As a cold front moves through late Tuesday into early Wednesday, there may be another round of isolated flurries or wintry mix. We’ll watch this into Wednesday morning, as temps will fall back below freezing at that point and may make for isolated slick travel for some once again. Wednesday is also a blustery day with a WNW wind making highs in the mid to upper 30s feel like the 20s.
The end of next week is a tricky one – and I know it’s a very important forecast, heading into Christmas. Forecast models are suggesting that we get a significant temp boost into the 40s and even upper 50s by Saturday – which would make the next system “more wet than white.” We’ll continue to watch this very closely though, as we all know too well that a forecast can change pretty dramatically past 3-5 days. And I know you’re next thought is, “but will it be a white Christmas?” In order to be a “white Christmas” we need at least an inch of snow come Christmas morning… The last time that happened in Boston was in 2009. I know it may be unsettling to hear about “mild” temps for the holiday weekend – even IF we made it into the 50s come Christmas Eve morning, it looks like that mild air is fleeting. Bottom line is, the cold will return rather quickly – in time for Christmas. Will there be snow? We’ll see! Even if there isn’t snow ON Christmas – it looks rather likely in the week following the holiday.
Have a good weekend. – Breezy