Tuesday Noyes’ Notes/1°Outside Today: Elevated Fire Danger Until Some Much Needed Rain Thursday

Meteorologist Danielle Noyes shares today’s bright and breezy forecast for New England! Sunshine dominates, but elevated fire danger persists due to dry and windy conditions. Get ready for a wet and raw Thursday as rain returns—time to dig out the umbrella!

National Weather Summary 

The weather across the nation remains dynamic, influenced by two significant systems. A deep low-pressure system continues to impact the Central and Gulf Coast regions, with the potential for localized severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall. Marginal severe weather risks, including isolated damaging winds and tornadoes, extend along the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle, where 2–3 inches of rainfall may cause localized flooding in urban and low-lying areas.

In the Northwest, a powerful Pacific storm system will intensify, bringing strong winds, coastal flooding risks, and heavy mountain snow. An atmospheric river will target Northern California and Southern Oregon, with up to 6–8 inches of rain and significant snowfall in the Cascades and Northern Rockies. Meanwhile, the Northeast and East Coast experience relatively mild temperatures, with highs running 10–15°F above normal, reaching the 50s in New England and 60s to low 70s in the Mid-Atlantic.

In the Central U.S., colder air funnels in behind a clearing cold front, with daytime highs in the 30s and 40s and overnight lows dipping to the single digits in parts of the Northern Plains. The southern tier of the country, including Texas and the Desert Southwest, enjoys mild and dry conditions with highs in the 70s and 80s.

Northeast Weather Story

High pressure centered over the Northeast will provide dry and mostly sunny conditions through the day. Northwest winds behind Monday’s cold front will remain breezy early, with gusts of 20–25 mph along coastal and higher terrain areas, diminishing by the evening. Afternoon highs will be seasonable to slightly above normal, ranging from the mid-40s in the northern mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire to the mid-50s across Southern New England.

For tonight, radiational cooling under mostly clear skies will bring lows in the upper 20s to low 30s across the interior, with mid-30s to near 40 along the immediate coastlines and urban areas. Winds will calm as the high-pressure ridge builds into the region.

Impact Focus Areas:

• Travel & Outdoor Plans: Dry and pleasant conditions are expected to support smooth travel and outdoor activities. However, breezy conditions early may slightly impact aviation and lighter vehicles on bridges.
• Marine Interests: Small Craft Advisories remain in effect into Tuesday morning for offshore waters, with NW gusts to 25 knots subsiding later in the day. Mariners should exercise caution during the early hours.
• Fire Weather Concerns: Despite diminishing winds, dry fuels and low relative humidity (30–40%) could maintain elevated fire weather risks, especially in southern New England. Coordination with fire officials is ongoing.
• Midweek Transition: Increasing clouds late Tuesday into Wednesday herald the arrival of a potent storm system. Rain is expected to develop Wednesday night, with widespread heavy rainfall likely Thursday, potentially exceeding 1 inch in some areas. Coastal winds could gust up to 40 mph, and interior higher elevations may see a mix of rain and snow late Thursday into Friday morning.

Enjoy the tranquil weather Tuesday, but plan ahead for the active weather arriving midweek!