Toughing It Out

Posted by Pete Bouchard

That was a wake up call. If you had to work outside - or even walk a few blocks for that matter - you really found out what you're made of today. And with the Green Line going down this morning, lots of folks were left to tough it out.

Everyone's talking about how this is the coldest in years. Today's high in Boston was a numbing 16°. Last winter, the coldest we hit was 19°; the winter before, 13°. That's a nod to how mild we were last winter (and how marginally cold this spell is). No matter. We're not setting any records with this cold. Record to beat in Boston is -6 and in Worcester it's -13. (See, it can always get worse.)

Got one more day to grimace in the cold before we can talk some sense into Mother Nature. Friday will see the temperatures catapult back to the low 20s, but that's in response to an advancing storm system that looks like it may throw some snow our way.

This isn't a biggie, but it will produce a plowable snow for some - especially Southeast Mass. Here's my latest thinking:

There isn't much moisture to work with, but when temperatures are this cold, you don't need a lot. Looks like enough to sweep, sand and salt in that 1-3 band and plow in the 3-5 band. Startup time is 8-10pm Friday and continuing through early Saturday morning. Pacing is light, but there might be a few bands of moderate snow reaching up to Cape Cod and the Islands from midnight to the wee hours of Saturday.

Could be fine tuned in future forecasts, so stay in touch.

Pete

Saved by The Sea Breeze

Posted by Pete Bouchard

Although my forecast was busted today, there was one good thing that came out of it.

Stability.

That gray overcast that hung over the eastern half of the Commonwealth provided a stablizing influence to our atmosphere. The cool air blowing in from the ocean kept the temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s all the way back to Metrowest. While that makes for lousy short-and-t-shirt weather, it is poison to thunderstorms.

Storms, Heat, Sea Breezes

Posted by Pete Bouchard

What a day! Breakneck temperature swings, thunder, tornadoes in Western Mass....and we're still in late May!

Summ-ah!

Posted by Pete Bouchard

With the snap of the fingers we were thrown into summer this afternoon. Heat, humidity, A/C and shorts - with a hazy sun to boot. But with the sea breeze knocking back the temperatures (and bringing in a round of downpours this evening), there are changes afoot.

Warming Up and Unsettled

Posted by Chris Lambert

Well, it certainly was a great weekend weather-wise until this afternoon when the temps dropped and light showers moved in from west to east.  Despite the cool down, the theme for this upcoming week is warmer with higher humidity.  It'll also be unsettled at times.