Did the sky look a bit hazy to you today? That was actually some elevated wildfire smoke. Some of it was even able to mix down to the surface in a few spots of northern and central New England. More smoke will be visible through the middle of the week. Meanwhile, even though the perseid shower has passed its peak, you’ll still be able to spot some tonight. Just remember to find a spot away from light pollution and avoid looking at your phone to keep your night vision intact. Matt and I were lucky enough to see four or five meteors last night, some small and others brilliantly bright! If you spot any, let us know!
Tomorrow’s Forecast: Sunshine with a Chance of Showers
We’ll start the day with plenty of sunshine, but as the morning progresses, expect some clouds to begin bubbling up. By noon, there might be an isolated sprinkle in Western New England. As we move into the afternoon, scattered showers and even a few thunderstorms could develop across Maine, Western New England, and Eastern Massachusetts. These showers will be hit or miss, with the potential for brief downpours or an isolated thunderstorm.
Despite the scattered showers, it’s not worth canceling outdoor plans. Just be prepared to duck inside if a brief shower or storm pops up. The action will dwindle after sunset, leading to a mostly clear night with lows dropping back into the 50s in northern and central New England, and 60 to 65 elsewhere.
Outdoor Outlook: Comfortable Temperatures and Scattered Showers
Tomorrow’s high temperatures will climb into the 80s, with humidity still in check. Expect sunshine with building clouds and a chance of a hit-or-miss shower or isolated thunderstorm. In the mountains, temperatures will range in the 70s, with summit temperatures in the 60s. The UV index will be high, so don’t forget your sunscreen!
For the lakes, a few late-day showers or an isolated thunderstorm might pop up after 3 or 4 PM. Temperatures will be around 80 degrees, with light winds creating just a slight chop on the water. Winds will generally be out of the northwest, shifting to the north later, but staying under 10 mph.
At the beaches, you could see an isolated shower or storm, but overall, it’ll be a pleasant day with temperatures in the 80s. Expect a light sea breeze to kick in during the afternoon, with waves around two feet or less. There will be an early morning high tide, leaving plenty of beach space as the tide goes out throughout the day. The rip current risk is low, and the UV index will be high.
Looking Ahead: Increased Surf by the Weekend
Wave heights will stay around two feet or less on Wednesday and Thursday. However, by Friday evening and night, we’ll start to see waves increasing to two to four feet, with offshore waves reaching five to six feet by Saturday. At that point, Hurricane Ernesto, which will be well out in the Atlantic near Bermuda will increase surf, swell, and an elevated rip current risk, particularly for the second half of the weekend.
