Month: January 2023

Weekly Outlook: January 30 – February 5, 2023

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We’re deep into winter, but it hasn’t felt like it much for the past couple of months. That’s about to change, potentially in a big way.

The week starts off mild once again, but a cold front will move across the region later today and tonight. As the front moves through, some rain or snow showers are possible, with a few snow squalls not out of the question. High pressure builds in for Tuesday and Wednesday with drier weather and more seasonable temperatures. This will also help deflect a low pressure off to the south, which may actually bring some snow to the Mid-Atlantic states, though we could see some of the precipitation reach the South Coast. Another system passes south of the region on Thursday, spreading in more clouds, but we’ll also see temperatures start to moderate a bit. This sets the stage for what’s to come at the end of the week.

Some snow squalls are possible as a cold front moves through the region tonight. Loop provided by WeatherBell.

A strong cold front will cross the region Friday morning as a rather large high pressure system settles into southern Ontario. Behind the front, the coldest air we’ve seen in several years will pour into the region. Temperatures will likely start the day in the 30s, but will rapidly drop during the afternoon, likely reaching the single digits by evening, and dropping below zero across most of the region overnight. By Saturday morning, temperatures may be as cold as -10 to -15 north and west of Boston, with even colder temperatures possible. But wait, if that’s not cold enough, gusty northwest winds will create wind chills of -20 to -30. Saturday morning might be a good day to skip that morning run, or you’ll probably want to make sure the dog takes care of business quickly. Despite sunshine, temperatures likely stay in the single digits or lower teens during the daytime. As the high slides by to the north, winds may shift into the north or northeast, which could allow for some ocean-effect snow showers to develop across Cape Cod. As the high continues eastward, winds will shift into the southeast and eventually south, bringing a quick end to our arctic blast. Temperatures will continue to rise Saturday night, and should get well into the 30s and even 40s again across the region on Sunday.

No matter which model you look at the wind chills Saturday morning will be ridiculously cold. Images provided by Pivotal Weather.

We should also mention that Thursday is Groundhog Day. Tradition states that if the groundhog sees his shadow, then there will be 6 more weeks of winter. Have we really had winter yet? Not really, so the groundhog probably won’t see his shadow. Of course, if you trust a long-range forecast from a rodent, then can we interest you in investing in some quality swampland in Florida? Sunday however is National Weatherperson’s Day. Obviously, we like that one a little more.

Monday: Intervals of sun and clouds. High 43-50.

Monday night: Partly to mostly cloudy with a few rain or snow showers possible, maybe even some snow squalls that could drop a quick inch in spots. Low 26-33.

Tuesday: Partly sunny. High 31-38.

Tuesday night: Partly to mostly cloudy with a few snow showers possible. Low 14-21.

Wednesday: Sunshine and a few clouds. High 26-33.

Thursday: A mix of sun and clouds, breezy. High 33-40.

Friday: Partly to mostly sunny, windy, and turning sharply colder. High 21-28 in the morning, temperatures plunge in the afternoon.

Saturday: Plenty of sunshine, breezy, and bitterly cold, except for a few snow showers possible on Cape Cod. Morning low -1 to -8 south of the Mass Pike, -9 to -16 north of the Pike. High 6-13 during the evening.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, windy, milder, chance for some snow or rain showers. High 35-42.

Weekend Outlook: January 27-30, 2023

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Drier weather will return for a few days, but won’t last for too long.

Most of the region has received 5-10 inches of rain (not snow) over the past month. Image provided by Weathermodels.com.

High pressure builds in for tonight and Friday with some clearing and temperatures remaining on the mild side for late January. A weak front will move through on Saturday with some clouds and possibly a rain or snow shower, but for the most part, it will remain dry. The front stalls out just to the south, keeping plenty of clouds around for Saturday night and Sunday. On Sunday it will start moving northward again as a warm front, ahead of low pressure heading toward the eastern Great Lakes. That low passes across Northern New England Sunday night and Monday, producing a few rain or snow showers across our area. We’ll start to clear out behind the system later on Monday.

Temperatures will remain above to well above normal over the next few days. Image provided by WeatherBell.

Thursday night: Partly cloudy, breezy. Low 22-29.

Friday: Partly to mostly sunny. High 34-41.

Friday night: Variably cloudy, chance for a few late-night rain or snow showers. Low 21-28.

Saturday: Partly sunny and breezy. High 39-46.

Saturday night: Partly to mostly cloudy. Low 24-31.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy, breezy. High 42-49.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, chance for a few rain or snow showers. Low 25-32.

Monday: Plenty of clouds with a few rain or snow showers early, some clearing late in the day. High 39-46.

Weekly Outlook: January 23-29, 2023

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A fairly active weather pattern is on deck for this week, with several bouts of unsettled weather expected.

We’re starting the week off on a stormy note with low pressure passing south of the region. Colder air will work its way in behind the storm today, allowing the rain/snow line to move southward as the day progresses. So, even places that are still raining this morning will likely see some snow before the day is out and the storm pulls away. Areas south of the Mass Pike will likely see an inch or less of accumulation, with another 1-3 inches north of the Pike, and possibly a little more than that across southern New Hampshire. Everything ends this evening, then high pressure briefly builds in tomorrow with drier conditions.

Much of the region will only pickup another inch or two of snow today. Image provided by WeatherBell.

However, another storm will quickly follow for Wednesday. With some cold air in place, this one will likely start as snow across the region Wednesday afternoon, making for a rather messy afternoon commute. However, with the low passing west of us, and a secondary low pressure system developing right overhead, warmer air will move in, resulting in a change to rain Wednesday evening and night, ending Thursday morning. As that system pulls away, breezy and cooler conditions settle in late Thursday into Friday, but a cold front will approach the region on Saturday. That front may produce some snow showers Saturday afternoon and evening before it pushes offshore. Wel clear out behind it and turn colder, but yet another system quickly follows late Sunday, with some rain or snow showers possible late in the day ahead of a warm front.

Most of the models show snow falling for the Wednesday afternoon commute. Images provided by Pivotal Weather.

Monday: Breezy with snow likely north of the Mass Pike, rain changing to snow south of the Pike. High 34-41 early, temperatures drop during the afternoon.

Monday night: Snow ending in the evening, followed by clearing, windy. Low 22-29.

Tuesday: Morning clouds, some afternoon sun, breezy. High 35-42.

Tuesday night: Clear through the evening, clouds return after midnight. Low 17-24.

Wednesday: Cloudy with snow developing in the afternoon, changing to rain from south to north during the evening. High 32-39.

Thursday: Windy with periods of rain, ending in the afternoon. High 39-46 north and west of I-495, 47-54 south and east.

Friday: Partly to mostly sunny, breezy, and colder. High 32-39.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy and breezy with a few snow showers possible, clearing late in the day. High 37-44.

Sunday: Becoming mostly cloudy and breezy, snow or rain showers possible late in the day. High 35-42.

Weekend Outlook: January 20-23, 2023

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We’re getting into a more active weather pattern around here, and also one that is a bit more wintry.

Tonight’s storm will bring a little bit of everything to the region. Loop provided by Weathermodels.com

Low pressure will head into the Midwest tonight while a secondary area of low pressure develops across the northern Mid-Atlantic states and passes just south of New England tonight. Rain will overspread much of the region over the next few hours, except for central New Hampshire, where precipitation will likely start as some snow. As that secondary area of low pressure passes by to the south tonight, winds will shift into the north, allowing cooler air to settle in, and the rain/snow line to start migrating southward. The steadiest precipitation likely ends before daybreak, but the old low pressure system will move through during the day on Friday, with occasional snow showers north and west of Boston, and occasional rain showers changing to snow showers from Boston southward. The rain/snow line likely doesn’t reach the South Coast before everything winds down late Friday afternoon or evening. How much snow can we expect?

South and east of I-95: Less than 1″
MetroWest/North Shore: 1-2″
Merrimack Valley/NH Seacoast: 2-4″
Southern/Central NH: 3-6″

This will not be a big snowmaker for much of our region. Image provided by Pivotal Weather.

We may see some clearing on Saturday as high pressure tries to move in, but clouds quickly return Saturday night as another system heads toward the region. This one looks to be mostly rain for Sunday night into Monday morning, but it may start as snow across southern New Hampshire, and the rain may change to snow before ending across the region Monday morning. We’ll clear out behind the system Monday afternoon, but it will be quite breezy.

Northwest winds may gust to 30-40 mph Monday afternoon. Image provided by WeatherBell.

Thursday night: Rain developing across the region, except snow across central New Hampshire. Rain changes to snow as we head through the night across southern New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley. Low 29-36.

Friday: Occasional snow showers north and west of Boston, with rain showers changing to snow showers from Boston southward. High 34-41 in the morning, temperatures drop during the day.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy, any lingering rain or snow showers end in the evening. Low 20-27.

Saturday: Becoming partly sunny. High 30-37.

Saturday night: Clouds return. Low 11-18 across southern New Hampshire and the Merrimack Valley, 19-26 elsewhere.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy. High 36-43.

Sunday night: Cloudy and becoming windy with rain likely, possibly starting as snow across southern New Hampshire. Low 30-37, temperatures may rise a bit overnight.

Monday: Rain may change to snow before ending in the morning, becoming partly sunny and windy in the afternoon. High 40-47 early, temperatures drop during the day.

Weekly Outlook: January 16-22, 2023

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Despite the snow last night and this morning, temperatures will remain above normal for much of the upcoming week.

Low pressure slowly pulls away from the region today, with snow lingering near the coast , but the sun may come out as you head westward. Skies should clear out near the coast as well Monday night as the storm finally moves far enough away. Tuesday starts off nice, but clouds return during the afternoon ahead of another fast-moving but weak storm system. A few showers are possible, but temperatures will also turn milder, helping to melt the snow that fell late Sunday and Monday. We’ll start to clear out again on Wednesday as high pressure builds back in with mild temperatures once again.

Temperatures could approach 50 degrees on Wednesday. Image provided by WeatherBell.

The next system moves toward the region on Thursday, and will impact the region late Thursday into much of Friday. While it will be mostly rain, it may start as snow across southern New Hampshire, where some accumulations are possible. The rain may also change back to snow before ending across the region late Friday. High pressure then builds in for next weekend with drier weather.

The models have different ideas as to where the rain/snow line will start off when precipitation moves in late Thursday. Images provided by Pivotal Weather.

Monday: Plenty of clouds, breezy, some sunny breaks inland, snow showers continue near the coastline, tapering off in the afternoon. Additional accumulation an inch or less. High 32-39.

Monday night: Clearing. Low 24-31.

Tuesday: Morning sun, increasing afternoon clouds. High 39-46.

Tuesday night: Partly to mostly cloudy with a few showers possible. Low 29-36.

Wednesday: Becoming partly to mostly sunny. High 44-51.

Thursday: Becoming cloudy, showers developing late in the day, possibly starting as snow north and west of Boston before changing to rain at night. High 37-44.

Friday: Cloudy with showers ending, possibly as wet snow, especially north and west of Boston. High 36-43.

Saturday: A mix of sun and clouds, chance for a few snow showers. High 35-42.

Sunday: Partly sunny. High 38-45.

Weekend Outlook: January 13-16, 2023

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What seemed like a relatively simple forecast just a day or two ago suddenly is a bit more complicated for parts of the region.

Low pressure currently in the Ohio Valley will pass north and west of the region on Friday. A warm front ahead of the system will move through tonight, accompanied by some showers this evening which will become a steadier rain overnight. Temperatures will also rise behind the warm front tonight. By the time you wake up on Friday, temperatures should be in the lower to middle 50s, but won’t go up any further. A cold front will move through during the morning, and it will bring an end to the rain, but temperatures will start falling in the afternoon behind the front. That front will likely stall out once it gets offshore, keeping plenty of clouds around, especially closer to the coast. Saturday looks to be a cloudy, cooler, and drier day across the region.

Some heavy rain is possibly across the region tonight and Friday morning. Iage provided by Weathermodels.com.

Late Saturday is where the uncertainty comes into the forecast. A wave of low pressure will begin riding up the stalled out front offshore. How close it comes to the Cape and Islands varies by which model you look at, which has an impact on the forecast. Some models keep the system well offshore, with little to no impact on us. Some models bring it close enough for some rain or snow showers across the Cape and possibly southeastern Massachusetts, and some bring in steadier snow to parts of eastern Massachusetts. No matter what track it takes, gusty north to northeast winds will probably also generate some ocean-effect snow across parts of Cape Cod and possibly Plymouth County. For now, we’re leaning toward the middle ground of the model scenarios, but obviously will keep a close eye on how things progress. High pressure builds in behind the system Sunday night into Monday with dry and cool conditions.

Some snow is possible across parts of southeastern Massachusetts this weekend, depending on which model you believe. Images provided by Pivotal Weather.

Thursday night: Periods of rain, breezy. Temperatures slowly rising overnight.

Friday: Rain ending by early afternoon, remaining cloudy. High 50-57 in the morning, temperatures drop in the afternoon.

Friday night: Mostly cloudy. Low 27-34.

Saturday: Plenty of clouds, possibly a few breaks of sunshine. High 34-41.

Saturday night: Cloudy, chance for some snow or rain showers across Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts. Low 22-29.

Sunday: Snow showers possible across Cape Cod and southeastern Massachusetts, some clearing late in the day. High 32-39.

Sunday night: Clear to partly cloudy. Low 21-28.

Monday: Partly to mostly sunny. High 36-43.

Weekly Outlook: January 9-15, 2023

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Quiet weather is expected for much of the upcoming week once again, but that doesn’t mean the entire week will be storm-free.

By mid-week, temperatures will be fairly close to normal for mid-January. Image provided by Weathermodels.com

We start the week off with a very weak system passing by to the south. It spread some clouds in, with a few rain or snow showers possible across southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and the Islands this morning. We’ll start to clear out in the afternoon as high pressure starts to build in. Some sunshine and seasonably cool temperatures are expected on Tuesday, and even into Wednesday, but during the Wednesday we’ll see some clouds start to move in as low pressure begins heading toward the Midwest. There’s some disagreement among the models on the evolution of this storm, but at this point, it looks likely to be mainly a rainstorm around here, with only a little wet snow possible on the front end of the storm across parts of southern New Hampshire. There’s also some disagreement on the timing of the storm, but right now at least, it looks like it’ll be late Thursday into Friday. There’s some disagreement for Saturday as well. Some of the models have a secondary storm move up the cast, possibly bringing in some more rain or snow, others just have an upper-level disturbance move through with some clouds and a few rain or snow showers. We’re going to lean toward the drier scenario for now, but that can obviously change. High pressure builds in for Sunday.

There’s quite the range of scenarios on Saturday depending on which model you look at. Images provided by Pivotal Weather.

Monday: Morning clouds, maybe a rain or snow shower across Southeastern Massachusetts and the Cape and Islands, clearing in the afternoon. High 36-43.

Monday night: Clear to partly cloudy. Low 23-30.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and clouds. High 34-41.

Tuesday night: Partly cloudy. Low 18-25.

Wednesday: Partly sunny, clouds thicken up late in the day. High 33-40.

Thursday: Cloudy with rain likely late in the day and at night, possibly starting as some wet snow across southern New Hampshire. High 37-44.

Friday: Rain tapers off to showers and ends. High 46-53.

Saturday: More clouds than sun, chance for a rain or snow shower. High 39-46.

Sunday: Partly to mostly sunny. High 32-39.

Weekend Outlook: January 6-9, 2023

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The weather pattern will start to quiet down again this weekend, but not before some of us get some snow on Friday.

Drizzle and fog (and a little freezing drizzle) will gradually taper off tonight as a cold front continues to push offshore. An upper-level system quickly follows for Friday. With colder air in place, precipitation will be mainly in the form on snow north and west of Boston, while areas near the coast and south of Boston likely see mostly rain, with some snow mixed in, especially as everything winds down. Snow likely develops during the late morning hours and ends during the evening. It should be mostly light, but some bursts of moderate to perhaps heavy snow are possible. For accumulations, south and east of I-95 will have some slush at most. Areas north and west of I-95 are looking at a general 1-2″ with some spots possibly picking up 3-4″ if these heavier bursts do materialize. We’ll still have some clouds around on Saturday, then we should clear out for Sunday and Monday with seasonably chilly conditions expected.

Friday’s snow shouldn’t be a big deal, especially as you get closer to the coast. Image provided by WeatherBell.

Thursday night: Plenty of clouds, drizzle and fog linger, especially during the evening. Low 31-38.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, light snow developing north and west of I-95, rain south and east, possibly changing to snow late in the day. High 35-42.

Friday night: Snow and rain end in the evening, then skies become partly cloudy. Low 27-34.

Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 36-43.

Saturday night: Becoming mostly clear. Low 19-26.

Sunday: Sunshine and a few clouds. High 31-38.

Sunday night: Partly cloudy. Low 23-30.

Monday: Partly sunny. High 37-44.

Weekly Outlook: January 2-8, 2023

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This week will start and end with quiet weather, but in between will be interesting.

High pressure provides the region with dry and mild weather today, though not as mild as the past few days. Clouds will start to move in tonight ahead of a low pressure system moving into the nation’s midsection. A warm front will approach on Tuesday, with some light rain and showers likely ahead of it during the afternoon and evening. Much warmer air will move in behind the front for Tuesday night and Wednesday, but the question becomes – how far north does the front get before stalling out. South of the front, temperatures will get well into the 50s or even 60s on Wednesday, but to the north, it will stay in the 40s. At this point, it looks like the front should get north of the Mass Pike and to at least Route 2 and possibly the MA/NH border. Whether it gets farther than that is debatable, or if it even gets that far. Another round of showers is likely Wednesday afternoon and evening as a cold front approaches. The warm front will also begin dropping southward again as a backdoor cold front. Temperatures will drop rapidly once that passes, so timing it correctly will be critical to the forecast. Most of the models have it move through during the evening or at night, but some have it as early as mid-afternoon.

There are significant differences among the models as the how far north the warm air gets on Wednesday. Images provided by Pivotal Weather.

Once the cold front moves through and temperatures start dropping, we could see a change to freezing rain and sleet across the interior late Wednesday night into early Thursday. Another low pressure system passes south of the region later Thursday into early Friday, which may produce some snow across the area, with accumulations possible, especially across the interior. High pressure then builds in for the weekend with drier conditions and seasonably chilly temperatures.

A little snow is possible Thursday night and Friday morning. Image provided by WeatherBell.

Monday: A mix of sun and clouds. High 43-50.

Monday night: Clear skies through the evening, clouds increase overnight. Low 28-35.

Tuesday: Cloudy with light rain and showers developing. High 36-43 north of the Mass Pike, 44-51 south of the Pike.

Tuesday night: Cloudy with a few showers or some drizzle. Temperatures hold steady or rise overnight.

Wednesday: Cloudy, showers redevelop in the afternoon, possibly changing to freezing rain or snow overnight, mainly across southern New Hampshire. High 51-58, possibly much cooler across southern New Hampshire.

Thursday: Cloudy and breezy with some snow showers possible during the day, steadier light snow possible at night. High 37-44.

Friday: Cloudy with a chance for some light snow, mainly in the morning. High 34-41.

Saturday: Partly sunny. High 36-43.

Sunday: A mix of sun and clouds. High 34-41.