Boston Weather Update: Warm Temperatures and Wildfire Smoke

Boston Weather Update: Warm Temperatures and Wildfire Smoke

Boston reached 80-degree temperatures on Wednesday afternoon, marking a welcomed change after a four-day stretch where high temperatures only reached the 60s. The sudden warmth is expected to continue into Thursday across Greater Boston, with further fluctuations in weather patterns anticipated.

A thin layer of haze, largely attributed to Canadian wildfire smoke, has impacted the visibility and appearance of the sky, giving it a blue-grey color. This haze is expected to persist throughout Thursday, although mostly sunny conditions will prevail, providing a bright backdrop against the muted sky.

Though the high pressure that contributed to the warm weather is forecasted to weaken on Thursday, highs are still predicted to reach the 80s once more. Along with the warmth, a breeze is anticipated, gusting up to 20 mph in the afternoon across Boston and much of Southern New England.

A weak cold front moving south through New England may bring about a brief afternoon sprinkle or even an isolated coastal thunderstorm. Specifically, there is a potential for scattered thunderstorms, especially in areas along the Southern New England coast where a sea breeze could interact with the warm air.

As the day wanes, Thursday night temperatures are expected to moderate, generally dropping to the upper 50s and low 60s. Looking ahead, forecasts indicate that rain is expected over the upcoming weekend, which will mark the 14th consecutive weekend of measurable rain in the Boston area.

Regional Forecasts

Greater Boston will likely enjoy mostly sunny conditions despite the haze, with expected highs in the low and mid-80s. In Southeastern Massachusetts, mostly sunny weather is projected with highs reaching the upper 70s and low 80s, although isolated showers or thunderstorms might occur.

In Central and Western Massachusetts, the forecast shows highs in the low 80s, with a slight chance for isolated sprinkles in the afternoon. Coastal regions, including Cape Cod, should expect highs in the upper 70s to low 80s, along with a possibility for afternoon showers or thunderstorms.

Rhode Island’s weather report indicates highs in the low and mid-80s, with afternoon haze and a low chance of sprinkles. Meanwhile, New Hampshire is likely to see scattered showers primarily north of Berlin, with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s. Vermont and Maine are predicted to experience similar highs in the upper 70s to low 80s, with potential sprinkles near the Canadian border.

Long-Term Weather Patterns

The ongoing weather pattern caused by a flat jet stream has increased the frequency of storms across New England, now occurring approximately every three days. However, as dew points are anticipated to drop, a warm, dry feel is expected heading into the latter part of the week.

Overall, residents can expect fluctuating weather conditions characterized by warm temperatures and periodic hazy skies. As temperatures shift over the next few days, awareness of potential rain and thunderstorms will be crucial.