Massachusetts
Friday is colder with a chance of flurries in Western Mass. Boston’s first shot at snow could come Tuesday. – The Boston Globe
A chilly Thanksgiving is now behind us, and we’re looking at an even colder day on Friday for those of you starting your holiday shopping this Black Friday or just taking the day to relax and recover from a day of eating.
High pressure builds in from Canada today, bringing gusty winds. The air is a little bit unstable, especially over Central and Western Massachusetts, where some clouds could blow up this afternoon and actually produce a quick snow shower or a snow flurry. A winter weather advisory is in effect for the northern Berkshires.
Temperatures today will only be within a few degrees of 40 but the wind will make it feel in the upper 20s to 30s most of the day. It will be bright except for those clouds popping up and blotting out the sun from time to time. The most sunshine will occur from Boston south toward Cape Cod and the islands.
Clear skies resume Friday night with temperatures in the 20s and lower 30s, with the wind still making it feel like it’s in the teens late at night.
Weekend: Saturday brings sunshine; Sunday rain
Saturday is my pick of the weekend with sunshine and a cold start. Temperatures will again be within a few degrees of 40 in the afternoon. This is below average for this time of year.
A new storm system is poised to move well west of New England through the Great Lakes and then into Quebec Sunday night and Monday. On this track, a southerly flow of air will boost temperatures to between 45 and 50 degrees Sunday afternoon as precipitation arrives. This obviously means that we’re looking at rainfall. The rain will continue for the first half of Sunday night before tapering off, with temperatures remaining above freezing all night.
Monday: Chance of a morning shower; Tuesday, snow?
Monday brings the chance of a morning shower and high temperatures in the 40s, with breaks of sunshine. This active pattern continues into Tuesday when a new storm system approaches. The track of this storm will determine what type of precipitation we have, but some areas of New England could likely see their first measurable snowfall of the season.
Of course, you may be wondering if this will make it into the Boston area or not? Climatologically, it’s less likely that the coastal plain sees anything other than a cold rain or a wet mix, but Boston may end up with some accumulating snow if the track is a little farther offshore. This offshore track would keep the cold air in place.
If Tuesday’s storm were to move a little farther west, then the warm air would flood in from the Atlantic, which is still relatively mild this time of year, and we would only see rain from I-495 eastward. It’s too early to determine where the rain-snow line will fall or what the total snowfall would be, but just know that your plans could be disrupted on Tuesday. Of course, there will be more on this later in the weekend.
Greater Boston: Mostly sunny skies for your Friday with temperatures within a few degrees of 40 and a gusty wind at times. Chilly on Saturday with temperatures again right around 40.
Central/Western Mass.: Look for some pop-up clouds mixing with the sunshine, with temperatures in the 30s to near 40 and a quick flurry from some of those clouds. It’s sunny on Saturday with highs 35 to 40.
Southeastern Mass.: Mostly sunny skies both Friday and Saturday with a bit of a breeze, especially Friday. Temperatures will be in the lower 40s in the afternoon, starting just under 30.
Cape and Islands: About 43 degrees should be a common high temperature across much of this area both Friday and Saturday, with plenty of sunshine and a gusty wind, especially Friday. This will make it feel in the 30s.
Rhode Island: Look for partly to mostly sunny skies on Friday with highs in the lower 40s along with the wind. You can expect more sunshine on Saturday with highs in the lower 40s.
New Hampshire: Look for partly sunny skies with a couple of snow showers and a gusty wind on Friday, highs in the upper 30s. Look for sunshine with highs in the upper 30s on Saturday.
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