Boston, MA
Heat and humidity begin to build, with temps set to break 90 degrees Thursday – The Boston Globe
Most of the day stays dry, but the moisture-rich air will turn out a shower or two , so pack the umbrella just in case.
Partly to mostly cloudy skies will remain Wednesday night with a low shower chance as lows slip to the mid and upper 60s.
The setup — lots of clouds, turning humid, shower chance
Wednesday’s weather will be influenced by a warm front gradually progressing through New England from the southwest, bringing along warmer air, more humidity, and the chance for a shower or two in Greater Boston and most of Southern New England.
A steep southerly flow with the front will lead to plenty of clouds throughout the day, but there should be a few cracks to let the sunshine in at times. The air will have plenty of moisture so the chance of a spot shower or two will linger throughout Wednesday, morning and evening. Should more sunshine crack through the clouds then there’s the chance for an isolated downpour with the additional heating. Any precipitation should be brief.
For the commute in, it’ll be in the the mid- and upper 60s with highs building to the mid- and upper 70s. There will likely be a few spots that reach 80 around or west of I-95, wherever the sun breaks through the clouds.
You’ll notice the heavier air when you head out in the morning, with dew points around sunrise already in the low 60s. By the time you wrap up work for the day, the air will feel thick and heavy with dew points in the upper 60s.
But come Thursday, it’ll feel like Southern Florida, with dew points reaching the low 70s.
Tracking Thursday storms — classic summer storm set up
Dew points in the 70s are a precursor to a chance for a brewing storm, and New England, including Boston, will see a thunderstorm chance come Thursday afternoon and evening.
Under a blend of sun and clouds, highs will be near 90 degrees in Boston with higher readings west of the city. Mixing in very humid and moist air, the atmosphere will be primed for a classic line of thunderstorms to develop ahead of a cold front pushing into the region from the west. Some will turn severe with damaging wind gusts and heavy downpours. Boston should see any action after the commute home but that may change as we get a bit closer to Thursday afternoon.
Weekend first look — so you’re saying there’s a chance?
So far so good. The trend is that high pressure will linger near New England on Saturday with it holding on long enough through Sunday. There may be a few showers well west of Boston but there’s growing optimism for a completely dry weekend.
That would snap 14 straight weekends where a trace or more rain has fallen in Boston.
Greater Boston: Mostly cloudy with highs in the upper 70s. A spot shower is possible. Dew points to the upper 60s. Lows to the upper 60s with a lingering spotty drizzle or fog overnight.
Southeastern Mass.: Mostly cloudy with patchy fog in the morning. Clouds stick around in the afternoon with a low chance of a sprinkle. Highs to the low 70s. Dew points to the low to mid-60s. Staying mostly cloudy at night with lows to the mid-60s.
Central/Western Mass.: Chance for a quick shower under mostly cloudy skies. Highs in the upper 70s in the Berkshires and possibly breaking 80 from Worcester to Springfield. Dew points push near 70, making it feel heavy outside. Staying warm at night with lows in the mid to upper 60s with a lingering shower chance.
Cape and Islands: Mostly cloudy skies with a low chance for a sprinkle. Some early morning and late evening fog is possible. Highs to the upper 60s and low 70s. Staying partly to mostly cloudy at night with lows in the mid-60s.
Rhode Island: Mostly cloudy skies with highs in the mid-70s. Chance for a sprinkle or shower is possible. Feeling muggy. Lows in the mid-60s with mostly cloudy skies and a low shower chance.
New Hampshire: More clouds than sun as highs push to the upper 70s and low 80s. An isolated shower is possible. Mostly cloudy at night with lows in the 60s paired with an isolated shower chance.
Vermont/Maine: Mix of sun and clouds with more clouds in the afternoon. Scattered showers are possible during the day with highs in the upper 70s and low 80s. Humidity building with dew points reaching the mid and upper 60s by the afternoon.
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Ken Mahan can be reached at ken.mahan@globe.com. Follow him on Instagram @kenmahantheweatherman.